It won’t be Maurice Clarett big.
Probably not even Danny Kanell or Luther Elliss big.
Unless there is a major change of direction, the NFL’s first wave of cuts will go by today without the Broncos being major headline-makers. The team has informed several players they will be released, although nothing is official until the 2 p.m. deadline, when all teams must be down to 75 players on their rosters.
The Broncos need to trim 13 players and then get down to the 53-man roster by Saturday afternoon.
Last year, the Broncos made the first cut news of the NFL by dropping Clarett, a third-round pick who refused to practice because of a groin injury. Also among the early cuts last year were fairly well-known veterans Kanell and Elliss, a Mancos High School alum.
This year, most of the early cuts likely will be younger players. The team talked to the players they planned to cut, and to their agents. Those on the list were offensive linemen P.J. Alexander and Rob Hunt, linebacker Kevin Harrison, defensive tackle Patrice Majondo-Mwamba, fullback Rashon Powers-Neal and defensive tackle Bryan Save.
“We thought after Kevin went to NFL Europe that it might work out for him there,” said Harrison’s agent, Patrick Pheiffer. “There were several teams interested in Kevin, and Denver seemed like the best fit. It just didn’t work out. The Broncos did mention there might be a practice squad possibility, but we’ll see 10 days from now.”
Two veterans who also may be part of the list today are cornerback Willie Middlebrooks and offensive lineman Cornell Green. Middlebrooks was a first-round pick in 2001 and was traded to San Francisco last year. The Broncos signed him in the offseason. Green has been a key backup the past two years.
Other players who could be released include offensive lineman Martin Bibla, quarterback Preston Parsons, linebacker T.J. Hollowell and defensive back Antwaun Rogers.
Rookie receiver Domenik Hixon is expected to be put on the non-football injury list and would count as one of the 13 moves. He would be eligible to play after the first six weeks of the season. Hixon, a fourth- round pick from Akron, broke his foot at his pro workout day in March. He hasn’t practiced since training camp started.
Other veterans on the bubble are backup quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt, receivers Charlie Adams and David Terrell, running back Ron Dayne and offensive lineman Dwayne Carswell. Representatives for Adams, Dayne, Terrell and Carswell said they were not informed of their players being cut.
Some of the young players cut could be candidates for the eight-man practice squad, which teams can start filling Sunday.
“We’d be very interested in being part of Denver’s practice squad,” said Majondo-Mwamba’s agent, Gary Glick. “It is a class organization, and he’d love to be part of it.”
Starters to go a quarter
While the Broncos will rest almost all their starters, Arizona coach Dennis Green indicated his starters will play about a quarter Thursday night in the preseason finale for both teams. Running back Edgerrin James is expected to play just one series.
Rookie quarterback Matt Leinart is expected to relieve starter Kurt Warner and play at least two quarters.
Shanghai in 2008?
There have been reports the NFL will select New England and Seattle to play an exhibition game next summer in Beijing. However, it has not been announced by the league. The Broncos have been considered to play in the game. If not, Denver may play in a preseason game in Shanghai, China, tentatively scheduled for 2008.
Footnotes
Running back Cedric Cobbs is leading the NFL in rushing in the preseason with 161 yards. … Defensive end Courtney Brown started running workouts recently after a positive diagnosis on his knee. He had minor surgery Aug. 10 and is expected to be ready to play at St. Louis on Sept. 10 in the season opener.
Staff writer Mike Klis contributed to this report.
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-954-1993 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
Broncos roster cuts on way
The Broncos must cut 13 players from their roster by 2 p.m. today to reduce the roster to 75 players. The following players were informed Monday that they’ll be among the players let go. No cuts are official until the team turns the names into the NFL office:
P.J. Alexander, OL
Kevin Harrison, LB
Rob Hunt, OL
Patrice Majondo-Mwamba, DT
Rashon Powers-Neal, FB
Bryan Save, DL
*Rookie WR Domenik Hixon is expected to be put on the non-football injury list.
