Although Broncos defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike was among the players to be suspended for gambling this year, the team will part ways with one of its veterans at the position.
The Broncos are releasing Tyler Lancaster, the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson tweets. A former Packers regular, Lancaster had signed with the Broncos this offseason. The Broncos are also cutting fourth-year tight end Albert Okwuegbunam, 9News’ Mike Klis tweets.
Denver recently moved Mike Purcell off its active/NFI list, putting the veteran nose tackle in play to return in Week 1. The Broncos also have 2022 sixth-round pick Matt Henningsen in place, along with veteran Jonathan Harris, who has quietly served as a depth piece for the team since Vic Fangio’s first HC season (2019). D.J. Jones and free agent pickup Zach Allen lead the way on the Broncos’ defensive front.
Lancaster started 21 games for the Packers from 2018-21. After signing with the Raiders in 2022, Lancaster suffered an injury during training camp and landed on Las Vegas’ IR list. An injury settlement moved the 28-year-old defender back into free agency, but he did not end up playing last season.
Uwazurike received an indefinite suspension for betting on NFL games, including Broncos contests. It would not surprise if Denver looked into D-line help before setting its Week 1 roster, but for now, the Henningsen-Harris-Purcell contingent represents the role players in this position group.
Okwuegbunam came up in trade rumors ahead of the 2022 deadline. The former fourth-round pick had fallen out of favor with Nathaniel Hackett’s staff. Although Okwuegbunam totaled 109 receiving yards in the Broncos’ final preseason game, they are moving him to the waiver wire.
One of Sean Payton’s former Saints charges, Adam Trautman, is now the Broncos’ starting tight end. The team acquired him in a draft-weekend trade. The team used a third-round pick on Greg Dulcich last year, and Chris Manhertz is onboard as a blocking piece at the position. Okwuegbunam blazed to a sub-4.5-second 40-yard dash at the 2020 Combine but has been unable to put it together as a pro. The Mizzou product totaled 330 receiving yards in 2021, bouncing back from a rookie-year ACL tear. Playing in a third offensive system in four seasons, Okwuegbunam could not make a good enough case for Denver’s roster. It should be expected the athletic tight end will generate waiver interest before Wednesday’s deadline.