Tight end Jeb Putzier, known for hanging on to the ball despite taking some vicious hits from defenders, has returned to the Broncos.
The Broncos added Putzier essentially to take the place of Nate Jackson, who suffered a season-ending hamstring injury a couple weeks ago. To make room for Putzier, the Broncos released Herana-Daze Jones, the second safety cut this week. Earlier, the Broncos waived Calvin Lowry, a three-game starter.
The safeties became expendable with the expected return of veteran Marlon McCree this week and emergence of rookie Josh Barrett.
Putzier was quarterback Jake Plummer’s third-favorite receiving target, behind Rod Smith and Ashley Lelie, in the 2004-05 seasons. After making a career-high 37 receptions in 2005 when the Broncos finished 13-3 and reached the AFC Championship Game, Putzier was released for financial reasons. He played the next two seasons for the Houston Texans and coach Gary Kubiak and earlier this year with the Seattle Seahawks.
The Broncos also added depth to their running back position by signing Steve Baylark to their practice squad. Baylark had four 1,000-yard rushing seasons at the University of Massachusetts and spent his rookie season of 2007 on Arizona’s practice squad.
