Sloter among cuts.
Undrafted rookie QB Kyle Sloter among players released
The Broncos cut more than 20 players Saturday, including undrafted rookie QB Kyle Sloter from Northern Colorado.
The Broncos have their 53-man roster — at least for now.
The Broncos cut more than 20 players Saturday, including quarterback Kyle Sloter. The undrafted rookie from Northern Colorado had hoped to be in the running for the No. 3 quarterback spot in the wake of Paxton Lynch’s shoulder injury.
Sloter started and played the entire fourth preseason game against Arizona on Thursday, earning high praise from coach Vance Joseph for his play: 15-of-23 passing, 220 yards, one touchdown and a 110.8 passer rating.
But with Lynch expected to miss at least the first few weeks of the season — maybe longer — the Broncos pursued veteran Brock Osweiler to fill the void at backup quarterback. They could try and keep Sloter on the practice squad but he would need to clear waivers.
“Thank you to Bronco country for all the support,” Sloter tweeted. “Hopefully I’ll be able to stick around in Denver. Next 24 hrs will be interesting.”
While trimming the roster, the Broncos placed rookie receiver Carlos Henderson (thumb) on injured reserve, and quarterback Chad Kelly (wrist) and tight end Jake Butt (knee) on the non-football injury list.
According to league sources, Shane Ray, the Broncos’ starting outside linebacker who missed all of the preseason after undergoing wrist surgery, will be placed on injured reserve Sunday with a plan to bring him back at midseason when healthy. He would be eligible to return after eight weeks.
Offensive lineman Michael Schofield and receiver Kalif Raymond, both of whom were on the bubble to make the final roster, were also waived on Saturday.
Schofield, according to a source, had asked to be traded when it became apparent there wouldn’t be room for him among the final 53. The team tried to trade him, as they did Ty Sambrailo, but a deal couldn’t be reached.
His exit finalized the Broncos’ offensive line, with Garett Bolles starting at left tackle, Max Garcia and Allen Barbre manning the left guard position, Matt Paradis starting at center, Ron Leary at right guard, Menelik Watson at right tackle, and Donald Stephenson, Connor Mcgovern and Billy Turner serving as reserves.
Raymond played four games as a receiver and return specialist last season after spending time on the practice squad. After an impressive camp, he made a strong push for one of the final receiver spots on the roster. If he’s not claimed on waivers, Raymond could be re-added to the practice squad Sunday.
Fellow receiver Marlon Brown was also cut, along with tight end Austin Traylor and veteran cornerback Chris Lewis-harris.
Lewis-harris played for Joseph in Cincinnati and signed with Denver to vie for the fourth cornerback spot behind Chris Harris, Aqib Talib and Bradley Roby. Though he was spoken of highly by his coaches who said they coveted a veteran in that position, the job went to rookie Brendan Langley. Lorenzo Doss was listed as the fifth cornerback.
After an impressive preseason, Shelby Harris was made the 53, but because the Broncos kept three quarterbacks, they are thin on the defense line. Kyle Peko was waived and Zach Kerr, who is nursing a knee injury, is listed as the backup for defensive end Derek Wolfe and nose tackle Domata Peko.
The Broncos kept receiver Cody Latimer, whose name came up as a potential trade piece as he enters the final year of his contract. Jordan Taylor rounded out the Broncos group of six receivers.
After the team released safety T.J. Ward earlier Saturday, Justin
Simmons was bumped to the top of the depth chart at strong safety. Jamal Carter was the lone undrafted rookie retained on the final 53, extending a streak the Broncos hold dear: For 13 of the past 14 seasons now, they have signed a college free agent to their active roster.
The Broncos can begin to form their 10-man practice squad after 10 a.m. MDT on Sunday, when the claiming period for those placed on waivers ends.