Denver Broncos: Team cuts roster down to 85 players
The Denver Broncos cut their roster down to 85 players ahead of the team’s practice on Tuesday. Which players were let go?
The Denver Broncos made a number of roster moves to get down to the mandatory 85 players before Tuesday’s 2:00 PM MT deadline across the league. The moves were made ahead of the team’s 9:00 AM practice.
The moves the Broncos made to get down to 85 players:
Waived
- LB Peter Kalambayi
- CB Rojesterman Farris
- DL Lorenzo Neal Jr.
Waived/Injured
- RB LeVante Bellamy
- WR Devontres Dukes
- DL Deyon Sizer
On Monday we tried to predict some of the moves that would be made by the Broncos and we at least got some of the positions right.
We correctly predicted Peter Kalambayi would be one of the team’s roster cuts, but the Broncos let go of some of the more recent additions to the team (as can often be expected in these early cut situations) in Rojesterman Farris and Lorenzo Neal Jr.
Farris opened his time with the Denver Broncos picking off a pass in consecutive practices, but obviously the team didn’t feel he was a legitimate candidate for a CB6 spot, maybe not even a practice squad spot.
Lorenzo Neal Jr. is one of the team’s most recent pickups and he got some extensive playing time against the Vikings. His release is a slight surprise given he could have been a better practice squad candidate than some others, but the Broncos clearly want to see more of the guy we predicted to be cut on the defensive line, Jonathan Harris.
LeVante Bellamy is probably the biggest name among initial cuts. He was with the team last year as an undrafted rookie but he suffered an injury against the Vikings.
There is no doubt that Bellamy has talent, but you’ve got to be able to stay healthy.
All three of the players the Broncos waived/injured — Bellamy, Devontres Dukes, and Deyon Sizer — are candidates to revert to injured reserve if they clear waivers.
Dukes was a surprising name on this list because he had a great practice against the Vikings last week and was stringing together some nice practice performances in general. He got hurt in the second practice in Minnesota and then didn’t play in the game on Saturday.
He would have probably been a player the Broncos waived anyway, but perhaps have interest in keeping long term. This may honestly be the best way for them to do it.
The Broncos will have to let another five players go by next week, so this week of practices and the team’s road trip to Seattle to face the Seahawks will be crucial for more bubble players.