ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Denver Broncos made 37 roster moves Friday and Saturday, trimming their roster to the NFL-mandated 53 players. Here’s a closer look at the final cuts:
Most significant move: The Broncos released safety T.J. Ward, a three-time Pro Bowl selection in his career. Ward was set to enter the last year of the four-year contract he signed during the Broncos’ free-agency binge in 2014. Ward has earned two of his Pro Bowl trips while with Denver and has been a respected leader in the locker room. But the Broncos believe second-year player Justin Simmons is ready to play, and Ward missed much of the preseason with a hamstring injury. This move will take some smoothing over by coach Vance Joseph with some of the team’s veterans, but the Broncos simply believe Simmons is ready to play and that Will Parks, also a 2016 draft pick, can play a situational role.
Tie game: Joseph said the Broncos might not decide a "winner" at the left-guard spot, and the team's first depth chart after the roster moves has both Allen Barbre and Max Garcia listed there. The two split time in the final preseason game Thursday night and have split practice snaps with the first-team offense for much of the past two weeks. The Broncos might lean on one more than the other in specific games, but for the moment Joseph is expected to rotate the two in the regular season's opening weeks.
One more day: Outside linebacker Shane Ray suffered ligament damage on his left wrist during the first week of training camp and underwent surgery shortly after. Because the injury happened just after camp opened, the Broncos had to leave Ray on the 53-man roster when they made their decisions Saturday. But he will be moved to injured reserve by Monday and the Broncos will then add a player. The intention is Ray will be brought back when he is medically cleared, likely before the end of October.
Broncos moves
Trade (1): T Ty Sambrailo.
Waived (30):NT Nelson Adams, S Dante Barnett, C Dillon Day, LB Vontarrius Dora, LB Ken Ekanem, Jerrol Garcia-Williams, LB Quentin Gause, LB Deon Hollins, C/G Cameron Hunt, NT Tyrique Jarrett, T Cedrick Lang, LB Danny Mason, LB Deiontrez Mount, T Justin Murray, WR Anthony Nash, NT Kyle Peko, WR Kalif Raymond, CB Marcus Rios, TE Steven Scheu, T Michael Schofield, WR Hunter Sharp, QB Kyle Sloter, LB Kevin Snyder, DE Shakir Soto, S Orion Stewart, S Dymonte Thomas, RB Juwan Thompson, TE Austin Traylor, T Elijah Wilkinson, RB Stanley Williams.
Terminated vested veteran (4): WR Marlon Brown, CB Chris Lewis-Harris, RB Stevan Ridley, S T.J. Ward.
Non-football injury (2): TE Jake Butt, QB Chad Kelly.
Injured reserve (1): WR Carlos Henderson.