ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Broncos have made a series of roster moves to reach the league-mandated 53-man limit, the team announced Tuesday.
The Broncos waived 22 players, released three players and made a pair of trades to help trim the roster to 53 players. Denver also placed cornerbacks Essang Bassey and Duke Dawson Jr. on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list. Bassey and Dawson will not count against the active roster and will be eligible to return after six weeks of the regular season.
Denver released T Cam Fleming, CB Nate Hairston and DL Shamar Stephen and waived T Quinn Bailey, TE Shaun Beyer, WR Tyrie Cleveland, RB Damarea Crockett, TE Austin Fort, T Drew Himmelman, WR Kendall Hinton, DT Isaiah Mack, S Trey Marshall, CB Mac McCain III, CB Parnell Motley, WR De'Mornay Pierson-El, FB Adam Prentice, LB Curtis Robinson, QB Brett Rypien, G/C Austin Schlottmann, RB Stevie Scott III, CB Saivion Smith, DE Marquiss Spencer, OLB Derrek Tuszka, LB Barrington Wade and WR Seth Williams.
The Broncos also agreed to trade WR Trinity Benson to the Lions for 2022 fifth- and seventh-round picks and agreed to trade for linebacker Jonas Griffith from the 49ers.
Denver is able to form a 16-player practice squad, which can include six vested veterans, starting on Wednesday.
Here are the 53 players on the Broncos' initial active roster, from KJ Hamler to Mike Purcell.
Denver Broncos wide receiver KJ Hamler (1) during the NFL preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday, August 14, 2021 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photo by Marilyn Indahl
Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II (2) during the NFL preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock during the NFL preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday, August 14, 2021 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photo by Marilyn Indahl
Denver Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) drops back to pass during the NFL preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, August 21, 2021 at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos punter Sam Martin (6) during the NFL preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos placekicker Brandon McManus (8) and punter Sam Martin (6) kick a field goal during the NFL preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (10) during the NFL preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos wide receiver Diontae Spencer (11) during the NFL preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, August 21, 2021 at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington. Photo by Tom Hauck
Michael Ojemudia during practice on the 15th day of training camp at UCHealth Training Center on August 17, 2021. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) during the NFL preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos cornerback Ronald Darby (21) during the NFL preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson (22) during the NFL preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos cornerback Kyle Fuller (23) during the NFL preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, August 21, 2021 at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon III (25) during the NFL preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Mike Boone during practice at UCHealth Training Center on August 25, 2021. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Denver Broncos running back Royce Freeman (28) during the NFL preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, August 21, 2021 at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington. Photo by Tom Hauck
Bryce Callahan during practice at UCHealth Training Center on August 25, 2021. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Denver Broncos free safety Caden Sterns (30) during the NFL preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday, August 14, 2021 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photo by Marilyn Indahl
Justin Simmons during practice on the 14th day of training camp at UCHealth Training Center on August 16, 2021. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (#33) during the NFL preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday, August 14, 2021 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photo by Marilyn Indahl
Denver Broncos cornerback Kary Vincent Jr. (35) during the NFL preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday, August 14, 2021 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos safety P.J. Locke (37) during the NFL preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday, August 14, 2021 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos linebacker Justin Strnad (40) during the NFL preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos safety Jamar Johnson (41) during the NFL preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, August 21, 2021 at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington. Photo by Tom Hauck
Denver Broncos linebacker Alexander Johnson (45) tackles during the NFL preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Jacob Bobenmoyer during practice on the sixth day of training camp at UCHealth Training Center on August 3, 2021. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Denver Broncos linebacker Josey Jewell (47) during the NFL preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by Gabriel Christus
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Jonas Griffith (53) during a NFL preseason football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2021 in Inglewood, Calif. The 49ers defeated the Chargers 15-10. (John McGillen via AP)
Netane Muti during the Broncos' 30-3 preseason Week 2 win over the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington on August 21, 2021. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper (53) during the NFL preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos linebacker Bradley Chubb (55) during the NFL preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Baron Browning before the Broncos' 30-3 preseason Week 2 win over the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington on August 21, 2021. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) during the NFL preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos linebacker Malik Reed (59) during the NFL preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, August 21, 2021 at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Graham Glasgow during practice at UCHealth Training Center on August 25, 2021. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Denver Broncos guard Dalton Risner (66) recovers a fumble for a touchdown during the NFL preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, August 21, 2021 at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos offensive tackle Bobby Massie (70) during the NFL preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday, August 14, 2021 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Garett Bolles during practice on the third day of training camp at UCHealth Training Center on July 30, 2021. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Denver Broncos offensive tackle Calvin Anderson (76) during the NFL preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, August 21, 2021 at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos offensive lineman Quinn Meinerz (77) during the NFL preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos center Lloyd Cushenberry III (79) during the NFL preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, August 21, 2021 at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos wide receiver Tim Patrick (81) during the NFL preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos tight end Eric Saubert (82) during the NFL preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday, August 14, 2021 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Andrew Beck during practice on Thursday, August 26, 2021 at UCHealth Training Center in Denver, Colorado. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos tight end Albert Okwuegbunam (85) before the NFL preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, August 21, 2021 at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Noah Fant during Training Camp on Tuesday, August 17, 2021 at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colorado. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos defensive lineman DeShawn Williams (90) and defensive lineman Shamar Stephen (99) during the NFL preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos linebacker Andre Mintze (91) during the NFL preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos defensive lineman Jonathan Harris (92) during the NFL preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday, August 14, 2021 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Dre'Mont Jones during practice on the 11th day of training camp at UCHealth Training Center on August 10, 2021. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Denver Broncos defensive lineman McTelvin Agim (95) during the NFL preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos defensive end Shelby Harris (96) during the NFL preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos nose tackle Mike Purcell (98) during the NFL preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by Gabriel Christus
