The Denver Broncos have made significant roster moves, solidifying their 53-man squad for the upcoming season. The team made this announcement on Thursday, with three key players being re-signed.
Nose tackle Mike Purcell, cornerback Fabian Moreau, and offensive tackle Quinn Bailey are all set to don the Broncos’ jersey once again. These transactions mark the conclusion of a busy week for the team as they prepare for the 2023 regular season.
In response to these signings, the Broncos have made corresponding moves. K’Waun Williams, the cornerback dealing with an ankle injury, Alex Palczewski, who injured his hand, and safety P.J. Locke, recovering from a leg injury, have all been placed on short-term injured reserve. This means that they will be unavailable for the first four games of the season.
One notable absence from the injured reserve list is wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, who has been dealing with a hamstring issue. The team had initially indicated that he might be placed on IR, but that did not materialize. Additionally, rookie cornerback Riley Moss, who underwent core muscle surgery, is set to be part of the Week 1 squad.
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The past week has been quite a whirlwind for Mike Purcell. He not only agreed to restructure his contract but was also activated from the Non-Football Injury list, only to be temporarily released during the final roster cuts. However, the team had always anticipated his return, and now he is expected to serve as the primary backup to nose tackle DJ Jones.
Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph expressed his excitement about this development, saying, “That’s huge for us. That defensive line has been our most consistent and deepest group and been the healthiest through camp. Adding Mike just adds more depth.”
Fabian Moreau, a seasoned professional with seven years of NFL experience across five different teams, joined the Broncos on August 1. His signing was particularly crucial due to Riley Moss’s absence. Moreau, aged 29, will provide valuable depth behind starting cornerbacks Patrick Surtain II and Damarri Mathis.
Head coach Sean Payton praised Moreau, stating, “He played quite a bit of snaps last year in New York. He’s smart, and he’s one of those players that you know exactly what you are getting. I think there is a physicality to how he plays. He’s excelled in the kicking game, and he is someone who is smart. We’ve looked at him for a while now, and we’ve had a lot of good feedback from places he has been.”
Quinn Bailey, an undrafted free agent from 2019, has defied the odds and secured his spot on the 53-man roster after an impressive summer performance. Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 323 pounds, Bailey will serve as a versatile backup, capable of playing both left and right tackle positions behind Garett Bolles and Mike McGlinchey, respectively.
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Coach Payton commended Bailey, saying, “He had a good camp. He had a really good camp. We are excited for him.”
In conclusion, the Denver Broncos have taken decisive steps to finalize their roster for the 2023 season, re-signing key players and making strategic moves to address injuries and depth concerns. The team and its fans eagerly await the start of the regular season with high hopes and expectations.
