Mark Barron will never actually see the field in a Denver Broncos uniform.
The Broncos waived the linebacker on Tuesday, less than four months after signing him. Barron suffered multiple injuries after the Broncos signed him in late August (hamstring, pectoral) and spent time on both injured reserve and as a gameday inactive.
It’s a disappointing ending for the linebacker who some saw as a sneaky good signing for the team just before the season started. The Broncos have needed a versatile linebacker, one who can cover tight ends in particular, for some time now. Barron was seen as a guy who could possibly do that especially since he began his career as a safety.
To take Barron’s roster spot, the Broncos officially moved Parnell Motley, who they took off of the San Francisco 49ers’ practice squad last week, to the active roster.
Barron has enjoyed a solid career with three different teams as a former first-round pick. But with all the missed practice time and on-field reps, the Broncos just felt he wasn’t going to be of any use to them at this point in the season.
It’s a shame to see him go. Had he been able to stay healthy, he could have easily pushed for playing time in certain packages.
Barron, who turned 31 years old in October, will now have to wait and see if another team is willing to give him a chance to continue his career. Who knows, the Broncos could even give him another look down the road if he can prove to be 100 percent at some point.