DENVER (KDVR) — The Denver Broncos cut multiple players on Tuesday, finalizing the team’s NFL-mandated 53-man roster for the upcoming season.
The Broncos needed to trim its roster to 53 players by 2 p.m. local time Tuesday and, while the cuts put an end to dreams of continuing to don the orange and blue, those who departed will still have a chance to make their mark elsewhere.
A look at some of the now-former Broncos:
Quarterback Sam Ehlinger
Quarterback Sam Ehlinger was the last player to be cut from the team Tuesday. He completed 42 of 57 passes during the preseason for 415 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.
The 26-year-old also rushed 12 times for 34 yards. Ehlinger was making his Broncos debut after entering the league as a sixth-round draft pick with the Indianapolis Colts in 2021.
Ehlinger could be a candidate to return to the Broncos as a member of their practice squad. He is currently a free agent and is allowed to negotiate with any team.
Tight end Caleb Lohner
The Broncos cut ties with tight end Caleb Lohner on Tuesday, the team’s seventh-round draft pick out of the University of Utah in April.
Lohner, who notably played only 57 snaps for the Utes during his college career, could return to the Broncos’ practice squad if he clears waivers. He finished preseason with two receptions for 27 yards.
The Broncos are entering the season with four tight ends on their depth chart, led by newcomer Evan Engram and Adam Trautman.
Linebacker Levelle Bailey
The Broncos cut linebacker Levelle Bailey in what was perhaps one of the more surprising moves on Tuesday, after the second-year player dressed for 10 games for the Broncos last season and had been performing well in camp, according to a number of outlets.
Bailey finished the preseason with 12 total tackles, including 7 solo tackles and 5 assisted tackles. He spent time on the team’s practice squad last season and could return if he clears waivers.
The Broncos will go with an inside linebacker corps that includes Alex Singleton, Dre Greenlaw, Karene Reid and Justin Strnad.
Running back Audric Estime
The Broncos chose to cut ties with second-year running back Audric Estime on Tuesday after he finished the preseason with 16 carries for 66 yards and one touchdown. The team’s 5th round draft pick out of Clemson last year also finished with two catches for a total of 28 yards.
Estime played in 13 games for the Broncos last season, rushing 76 times for 310 yards and two touchdowns. He now hits the waiver wire.
The Broncos enter the season with a running back room featuring newcomer J.K. Dobbins, rookie RJ Harvey, third-year man Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie.
The Broncos also waived, in no particular order, inside linebacker Jordan Turner, wide receivers Michael Bandy, Courtney Jackson, Jerjuan Newton, A.T. Perry and Kyrese Rowan, tackle Marques Cox, tight end Caden Prieskorn, cornerbacks Damarri Mathis, Quinton Newsome, Jaden Robinson and Reese Taylor, center Joe Michalski, nose tackle Jordan Miller, outside linebacker Garrett Nelson, guard Will Sherman, defensive back Keidron Smith and safety Delarrin Turner-Yell.
The team also waived running back Blake Watson with an injury settlement, designated defensive tackle Kristian Williams as waived/injured, designated fullback Michael Burton as reserve/injured and linebacker Drew Sanders as reserve/injured.
Sanders will be eligible to return after the fourth week of the season, while Burton will not be able to return through the 2025 season, according to the team.
The Broncos’ season officially begins with a home game against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Sept. 7. Kickoff is set for 2:05 p.m. local time.
Anthony Sutton is a business strategist and writer with a passion for management, leadership, and entrepreneurship. With years of experience in the corporate world, he shares insights on business growth, strategy, and innovation through management-opleiding.org.
