The Denver Broncos made a flurry of roster moves on Tuesday ahead of the team’s Week 5 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Of those moves, the signing of linebacker Avery Williamson to the practice squad is the most interesting. He gives the team a veteran linebacker presence and he could be used on the active roster sooner rather than later.
Williamson was a fifth-round pick of the Tennessee Titans in 2014 out of Kentucky. He spent four seasons there before signing a big free-agent contract with the New York Jets ahead of the 2018 season. He spent two seasons in the Big Apple and was with the Pittsburgh Steelers last year.
Still just 29 years old, Williamson brings experience and speed to the linebacker position, where he could be an ideal fit in Vic Fangio’s 3-4 scheme.
The move was almost certainly made after Justin Strnad showed his inexperience against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 4. With Strnad still going through a learning curve, Williamson could be brought onto the active roster to start playing meaningful snaps as soon as he gets a grasp of the defensive scheme.
This is a solid signing by the Broncos.
For his career, Williamson has tallied 607 tackles, 15.5 sacks, four interceptions and three fumble recoveries. He is an aggressive player with a nose for the football and he can rush the passer as well.
It’s fair to ask why Williamson was an available free agent five weeks into the season, but he should still have some gas left in the tank.
Broncos announce three other roster moves
In addition to bringing Williamson onto the practice squad, the Broncos signed wide receiver Josh Malone to the practice squad. The Broncos can’t seem to have enough wide receivers this season.
Malone was drafted in the fourth round in 2017 by the Cincinnati Bengals and has also played with the Jets. In four professional seasons, he has 11 catches for 91 yards and a touchdown.
He has good size at 6-foot-3. Both of these players could see time in regular-season games this year.
To make room for Williamson on the practice squad, the Broncos released defensive back Rojesterman Farris and offensive lineman Harry Crider.