The Broncos learned earlier Sunday that Jonathon Cooper would land on the commissioner’s exempt list. While that became the headline development for Denver today, here is how the defending AFC West champs moved down to 53:
Released:
Waived:
CB Brent Austin
LS Luke Basso
CB Sean Fresch
WR Kolbe Katsis
T Tyler Miller
ILB Red Murdock
OL Gavin Ortega
S Parker Robertson
EDGE Johnny Walker
DL Kristian Williams
Waived/injured:
Placed on IR (return designation):
Crum and Lohner will count against the Broncos’ eight regular-season injury activations. A leg injury sustained against the Packers will cost Crum at least four weeks, while Lohner — a converted basketball player drafted in last year’s seventh round — went from being an offseason standout to suffering a foot injury. GM George Paton said Sunday that Lohner returning around midseason is realistic.
The Broncos are clearly high on Lohner, who did not play as a rookie, because they cut Joly. Denver hosted the NC State product on a “30” visit and traded up 18 spots to pick him in the fifth round. While Joly scored on a wide-open 88-yard touchdown reception against the Vikings on Friday, he struggled in training camp. This is still a surprising cut given Joly’s draft status and the Broncos’ issues at tight end. The team will rely on Evan Engram (32 next week) to bounce back with former teammate-turned-OC Davis Webb calling plays.
Denver kept Tyler Badie over McLaughlin, marking the second straight year the plus pass protector was the preferred option over the elusive 5-foot-7 ballcarrier. McLaughlin re-signed with the Broncos this offseason, and although he reached unrestricted free agency after being nontendered as an RFA, he will need to clear waivers as a non-vested veteran.
The Broncos also waived two of their 2026 draft picks — Scott and Murdock — while retaining seventh-round tight end draftee Dallen Bentley. Several members of this group will be on Denver’s practice squad. Joly will be a name to watch once waiver claims are due at noon CT Monday.