Broncos Place FB Michael Burton On IR, Cut 27 Players

The Broncos continued their (mostly) ongoing streak of UDFA rookies making the active roster. Linebacker Karene Reid has made the 53-man roster, marking the 21st time in the past 22 years that a college free agent has made the Broncos as a first-year player.

The rest of the team’s moves:

Released:

Waived:

LB Levelle Bailey
WR Michael Bandy
OT Marques Cox
RB Audric Estime
WR Courtney Jackson
TE Caleb Lohner
CB Damarri Mathis
C Joe Michalski
NT Jordan Miller
LB Garrett Nelson
CB Quinton Newsome
WR Jerjuan Newton
WR A.T. Perry
TE Caden Prieskorn
CB Jaden Robinson
WR Kyrese Rowan
G Will Sherman
DB Keidron Smith
CB Reese Taylor
LB Jordan Turner
S Delarrin Turner-Yell
RB Blake Watson (injury settlment)

Waived/injured:

DT Kristian Williams

Placed on IR (designated for return):

LB Drew Sanders

Placed on IR:

FB Michael Burton

Fullback Michael Burton won’t play for the Broncos this season, as Sean Payton revealed that the veteran suffered a hamstring injury that required surgery (per Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette). The 33-year-old appeared in every game for Denver over the past two seasons, garnering reps in about 17 percent of his team’s offensive snaps and 63 percent of his team’s special teams snaps. Over that span, Burton collected 90 yards from scrimmage on 27 touches, and he’s added another 10 special teams stops.

A number of these players could land back on the practice squad. Assuming they pass through waivers, it sounds like the following players are destined for Denver’s practice squad: wideout Michael Bandy (per Mike Klis of 9News in Denver), offensive lineman Joe Michalski (per Klis), offensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton (per Klis), cornerback Jaden Robinson (per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston), and cornerback Reese Taylor (per Tomasson).