The Broncos announced Sunday they have filled 15 of their 16 practice squad spots with players who were in training camp with the team.
The final spot will go to cornerback Kevin Toliver, who was waived by Chicago, according to a source. Toliver made the Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2018 when Broncos coach Vic Fangio and defensive coordinator Ed Donatell were on Chicago’s staff.
The Broncos did not claim any players off waivers so their initial 53-man roster remains unchanged and only one of the players they waived — outside linebacker Justin Hollins — was claimed by another team. Hollins was picked up by the Los Angeles Rams.
Before training camp, the NFL and NFLPA reached an agreement to expand the practice squad from 10 last year to 16 this year because of the coronavirus pandemic, including a maximum six spots for veteran players. Four players each week can be protected by the Broncos, preventing them from signing with and being put on another team’s active roster.
Cornerback DeVante Bausby is the only Broncos practice squad member who is considered a veteran.
The full practice squad:
Offense (nine): Quarterback Brett Rypien, running back LeVante Bellamy, running back/fullback Jeremy Cox, receivers Trinity Benson and Fred Brown and offensive linemen Patrick Morris (center/guard), Jake Rodgers (tackle), Darrin Paulo (tackle) and Quinn Bailey (tackle/guard).
Defense (seven): Bausby, Toliver, defensive lineman DeShawn Williams, outside linebacker Derrek Tuszka, inside linebacker Josh Watson and safeties Alijah Holder and P.J. Locke.
The most notable player not invited to the practice squad was receiver Juwann Winfree.
General manager John Elway said Saturday he didn’t expect to be active on the wire. He wasn’t … nor were many of his colleagues.
Elway didn’t claim a player on Labor Day Weekend for the seventh time in his 10 years running personnel. Only 17 players switched teams via waivers on Sunday — the Broncos were one of 20 teams who did nothing.
Fangio hoped to sign Hollins to the practice squad, but instead, he will be joining the Rams to play for defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, the Broncos’ outside linebackers coach last year.