Denver Broncos: Introducing the team’s initial practice squad

The Denver Broncos have formed the majority of this year’s practice squad.

In year’s past, teams could have 10 players on the practice squad. But due to COVID-19, this year teams are allowed to keep 16 players on the practice squad. The Broncos have found 15 of those players already.

After making cuts to get down to the league-mandated 53-player limit, the Broncos had to wait to see if the players they released would clear waivers. Aside from linebacker Justin Hollins, they did.

Here are the players that have been signed to the team’s practice squad.

OT Quinn Bailey

Undrafted out of Arizona State last season, Bailey is in his second season with the organization. He was one of four offensive linemen  signed to the practice squad.

RB Levante Bellamy

If there were a preseason, this guy would have had a chance to shine and possibly make the roster. He will get a chance to continue his development as a professional and have a good chance to be called up at some point in the season.

WR Trinity Benson

There is so much  raw talent with Benson, but the Broncos are just too crowded at wide receiver. He will participate on the practice squad for the second year in a row.

WR Fred Brown

Brown is a guy who does have some regular-season experience and was likely very close to making this year’s squad. The team chose to keep Diontae Spencer as a return specialist which closed the door on that possbility.

FB Jeremy Cox

Cox really had no chance to make the team this year with Andrew Beck on the roster, but finding a spot on the practice squad gives him a chance to stick around and show what he can  do, because he is a talented player with untapped potential.

DB Alijah Holder

I  would have liked to see Holder make the team as I am still not in favor of only having three safeties on the roster, but Holder will have the potential to see some good playing time if that idea doesn’t work out.

DB P.J. Locke

Douglas Coleman III must have been really behind in camp as he looked like a great  undrafted talented when the team signed him, but the fact that Locke is on the practice squad and he is not speaks volumes.

OL Patrick Morris

At one point Morris looked like the best option the team had at center, but the selection of Lloyd Cushenberry in the third round changed that.

Jake  Rodgers

A well-traveled vet who suited up in relief for the Broncos last season, it makes sense to keep him around.

OL Darrin Paulo

After being waived by the New Orleans Saints, Paulo only had a few practices in Denver but the team clearly sees something in him.

LB Derrek Tuszka

Another player with plenty of raw potential who would have benefitted from a preseason, Tuszka could someday be a real fan favorite.

LB Josh Watson

The former Colorado State product spent much of last season on the practice squad as well but did see some action during the regular season. The Broncos do have questions at inside linebacker and Watson is a guy they know they can trust.

DL DeShawn Williams

A five-year veteran, Williams is on his third stint in Denver. The team brought him back in mid-August.

QB Brett Rypien

It’s somewhat surprising that Rypien cleared waivers, but the Broncos have always liked his talent and in a season where many players could miss time with potential virus symptoms, his services coculd easily be needed.

CB De’Vante Bausby

Bausby was probably the most surprising cut this year, and that includes Todd Davis. It was thought that Bausby would be the team’s No. 3 cornerback and the fact that the Broncos avoided another team grabbing him was lucky. He should still have a role with the team.

The Broncos still have one slot available on the practice squad. Signs point to that spot being given to Kevin Toliver, a surprise cut of the Chicago Bears.

Toliver is an outside corner who both Vic Fangio and defensive coordinator  Ed Donatell are quite familiar with. He is perhaps the most interesting player on this year’s practice unit.

Keep in mind that each of these players can be signed by any of the other teams in the league but due to this year’s unique practice squad rules, teams are allowed to protect up to four players from being signed by other teams.