ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Broncos have waived safety Caden Sterns, the team announced Monday.

A 2021 fifth-round pick, Sterns appeared in 21 games and started five contests for Denver across three seasons. He recorded four interceptions from 2021-22, but he did not appear in 28 of the final 29 possible games of his time in Denver as he battled injuries.

Sterns spent most of the 2023 season on injured reserve after suffering a season-ending injury in the first game of the season.

The Texas product finished his career in Denver with four interceptions, nine passes defensed, two sacks, 49 tackles, two quarterback hits and two tackles for loss.

"The depth," said Head Coach Sean Payton when asked why the team parted ways with Sterns. "I visited with Caden this morning and just told him that right now we felt like it was in the best interest of our team. … Part of it is the byproduct of some of these other guys that are playing ahead of him right now."

In addition to veteran players like Brandon Jones and P.J. Locke, the Broncos' safety group also features players like 2023 sixth-round pick JL Skinner, rookie Omar Brown and second-year player Devon Key. Third-year safety Delarrin Turner-Yell remains on the Physically Unable to Perform list.