The Broncos appear to be close to getting a veteran safety back in their building.
Taylor Rapp, who briefly signed with Denver last month and then was released, had another tryout with the club, according to Friday’s transaction wire.
That workout, combined with the fact that head coach Sean Payton said on Aug. 26 that there was a “better than good” chance Rapp would end up re-signing with the Broncos after needing “a little time at home,” would indicate that the veteran defensive back is moving toward officially rejoining the team. No signing had been finalized by Friday’s wire deadline.
If Rapp does rejoin the team, it could be either as a member of the practice squad or on the 53-man roster. The Broncos have four out of a maximum six vested veterans on their 17-member practice squad, so they’d have to waive a player, but that player would not have to be a veteran.
Rapp, 28, first signed with the Broncos Aug. 20. He did not play in Denver’s preseason game the next day against Green Bay, then practiced only one time — Monday, Aug. 24. He was not seen at practice the next day and was officially released Aug. 26.
After the unusual timeline, Denver head coach Sean Payton said that Rapp “needs a little time at home, and we completely get what he needs. There’s a good chance, better than good chance that — I know how he felt being here — so I think sooner or later (him re-signing with the Broncos) is going to happen.
“But this obviously took precedence, so just leave it at that.”
At the time he was originally signed, Payton said the move was more about a player they thought had talent rather than an acute need at safety.
“It was early, but here’s what we know: We’ve played against him,” Payton added when Rapp was released. “He’s smart, which is a great trait to have as a safety. He’s a good tackler. He can play down over the slot. He’s got versatility.”
Denver kept five safeties on its initial 53-man roster: Starters Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones and reserves Devon Key, JL Skinner and Tycen Anderson. Key and Skinner are backups who double as terrific special teamers and Anderson is also a special teams contributor. Denver also has rookie seventh-round pick Miles Scott on its practice squad.
