The Broncos might have been the first NFL team to finish cutting its roster from 80 to 53 players Saturday.
The staff had informed all 24 players who were waived or released and the three who were placed on season-ending injured reserve by 9 a.m., when players who made the team were scheduled to lift weights and go through a conditioning workout.
Coach John Fox and general manager Brian Xanders met individually with each player who was cut. The Broncos had until 4 p.m. to submit their cuts to league headquarters.
“Emotionally, it’s one of the toughest (days) of all,” Xanders said. “When you bring (24) guys in and look them in the eye, you’re ending an NFL dream. It’s tough.”
After getting today off, Denver players will be back at team headquarters Monday to begin preparing for the Sept. 12 season opener against the Raiders at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.
Who is the punt returner?
Denver’s new punt returner might be the old punt returner: Eddie Royal.
None of the three players who returned punts for the Broncos in preseason games made the 53-man roster. Syd’Quan Thompson was put on injured reserve with an Achilles tendon injury. Perrish Cox and David Anderson were cut.
That leaves Royal, the Broncos’ top return man since 2008, and possibly cornerback Cassius Vaughn as the top candidates for the important special-teams role.
Harris lone undrafted rookie on roster.
Only one of the 17 undrafted rookies the Broncos signed this year ended up on the 53-man roster.
Cornerback Chris Harris, a Kansas product, made the Denver roster because of his toughness on special teams and in his limited preseason defensive snaps, Xanders said.
An undrafted rookie has made the Broncos’ opening-day roster each of the last seven seasons.
“On the preseason tape, as it went on, he became one of the better corners on special teams. He was physical. He was fast. He was tough. So he fit the traits for that fourth or fifth corner,” Xanders said.
Injured D-tackles improving.
The Broncos kept three injured defensive tackles, a sign that at least a couple are nearing their return to the practice field.
Brodrick Bunkley (knee), Marcus Thomas (pectoral) and Ty Warren (triceps) missed significant preseason time because of injuries.
Xanders said Saturday that Bunkley might be able to return to practice this week and that Thomas would be back “sooner than later.”
Only Warren remains out indefinitely, though his spot on the active roster shows the team is optimistic he will be able to return at some point this season after undergoing surgery on his triceps.
Safety situation.
Safeties Darcel McBath and David Bruton, each a 2009 draft pick, were among the surprising inclusions on the Broncos’ 53-man roster. Both had been practicing with the third-team defense for most of training camp.
