ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Denver has regained a young defensive player ahead of the season's final weeks.

The Broncos activated linebacker Drew Sanders from the Physically Unable to Perform list, the team announced Tuesday.

Denver waived guard Calvin Throckmorton in a corresponding roster move.

Sanders returned to practice on Nov. 6 and has been a full participant in practice for each of the last two weeks. If Sanders' 21-day practice window expired without the Broncos activating him to the 53-man roster, he would have reverted to the Physically Unable to Perform list for the remainder of the season.

The second-year linebacker suffered an Achilles injury during the offseason, and the Broncos anticipated he would be able to return before the end of the 2024 season.

A 2023 third-round pick, Sanders appeared in all 17 games as a rookie and started four contests. He recorded 24 tackles, one tackle for loss and a fumble recovery. He played 23 percent of Denver's defensive plays while also notching 64 percent of the Broncos' special teams snaps.

Throckmorton is a fourth-year player who has appeared in two games for the Broncos this season. The Oregon product was elevated three times from the practice squad before Denver promoted him to the active roster.