<
        >

          NFL Nation

          Broncos release Britton Colquitt as rookie Riley Dixon replaces longest-tenured player

          • Jeff Legwold, ESPN Senior WriterAug 30, 2016, 09:20 PM
            Close
              Jeff Legwold is a senior writer who covers the Denver Broncos and the NFL at ESPN. Jeff has covered the Broncos for more than 20 years, joining ESPN in 2013. He also assists with NFL draft coverage, including his annual top 100 prospects. Jeff has been a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Board of Selectors since 1999. He has attended every scouting combine since 1987.
            Follow on X

          ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Denver Broncos made 15 moves Monday and Tuesday, trimming their roster to the NFL-mandated 75 players. Here's a closer look:

          Most significant move: The Broncos parted with their longest-tenured player when punter Britton Colquitt was released Tuesday. Colquitt had been with the Broncos since he signed to close out the 2009 season. He appeared in 96 regular-season games and 10 playoff games. But ever since Denver used a seventh-round pick on punter Riley Dixon in this year's draft, Colquitt had been on shaky ground and his fate was sealed when the Broncos were satisfied Dixon could be the holder for kicker Brandon McManus. Also, Colquitt was scheduled to count $4 million against the salary cap this season.

          Return job still unfilled: The Broncos are still searching for a returner and it appears now it's down to wide receiver Jordan Norwood or rookie receiver Kalif Raymond. Undrafted receiver Bralon Addison was released Tuesday. Addison got a long look as a potential returner.

          Injuries influence decisions: With one preseason game yet to play, the Broncos retained 11 of the 14 offensive linemen on the roster in the first round of cuts, given they've had three linemen -- guard Darrion Weems, guard Ty Sambrailo and center James Ferentz -- miss significant practice time. Weems returned to practice this week after being cleared in the league's concussion protocol, but is expected to be held out of the preseason finale. So, some young players on the offensive line get one last audition to state their case for the roster or practice squad. And it could benefit a player like rookie Connor McGovern, a guard who took some snaps at center last Saturday against the Rams.

          Broncos' moves: WR Bralon Addison (waived), P Britton Colquitt (released), TE Manasseh Garner (waived), S Antonio Glover (waived), G Mathu Gibson (waived), TE Garrett Graham (injured reserve), NT Calvin Heurtelou (waived), T Cameron Jefferson (waived), NT David Moala (waived), WR Durron Neal (waived), WR DeVier Posey (waived), T Kyle Roberts (waived), S Brandian Ross (released), LB Darnell Sankey (waived), LB Frank Shannon (waived).