HEADLINES

Sylvester Williams

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/27/20

October 27th, 2020 at 6:16pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Tuesday’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Buffalo Bills

  • Promoted: LB Andre Smith
  • Released from reserve/retired list: DB Isiah Brown

Denver Broncos

Minnesota Vikings

New York Giants

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

Broncos Promote Nigel Bradham, Activate DeMarcus Walker From IR

October 24th, 2020 at 4:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

On the Broncos’ practice squad for nearly three weeks, Nigel Bradham will return to an NFL active roster. The veteran linebacker will rise from Denver’s taxi squad to its game-day roster.

This will be Bradham’s fourth NFL team, though the longtime Eagles and Bills starter was only with the Saints in training camp. Bradham has been an NFL starting linebacker 96 times since his 2012 rookie season. While the Broncos have Alexander Johnson and Josey Jewell in place as their three-down ‘backers, Bradham should see time Sunday against the Chiefs.

Denver still has Mark Barron on its IR list. The longtime starter has dealt with multiple injuries since arriving in Colorado. Bradham, a three-down player with the Eagles for the past four seasons, will join Joe Jones as a backup Broncos inside ‘backer.

In addition to activating A.J. Bouye and defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones off IR, the Broncos will have D-lineman DeMarcus Walker available Sunday. A fourth-year rotational cog, Walker saw a calf injury send him to IR after Week 2. He registered four sacks last season and did not play much from 2017-18, but Denver may need the former second-round pick more this season after letting Derek Wolfe walk in free agency and losing Jurrell Casey for the season. Although Casey and Von Miller are out, this is the healthiest the Broncos’ defense has been since Week 1.

The Broncos also released cornerback De’Vante Bausby, promoted running back Jeremy Cox and re-signed defensive tackle Sylvester Williams to their practice squad. Denver cut Williams from its active roster Friday.

Broncos Release DT Sylvester Williams

October 23rd, 2020 at 4:25pm CST by Sam Robinson

With Dre’Mont Jones and potentially DeMarcus Walker coming back in Week 7, the Broncos will end their reunion with Sylvester Williams. For the time being, at least.

The Broncos released the veteran defensive tackle Friday, per 9News’ Mike Klis (on Twitter). This will again leave the team with no defenders from its Super Bowl 50 victory. The only other leftover from that conquest, Von Miller, is likely out for the season.

Williams played in Denver’s victory over New England, being used on seven defensive snaps. He did make a key contribution, however, stopping a Cam Newton two-point conversion try in the fourth quarter.

But with the Broncos getting healthier on their defensive line, they will drop Williams. However, the 31-year-old lineman — originally a 2013 Broncos first-rounder — could return to the practice squad. The Broncos initially reacquired Williams by signing him to their taxi unit.

Broncos Release QB Blake Bortles

October 17th, 2020 at 11:39am CST by Ben Levine

With Drew Lock looking like he’ll return to the field this weekend, the Broncos have moved on from one of their other quarterbacks. Ryan O’Halloran of the Denver Post reports (via Twitter) that the team is releasing Blake Bortles. The team has signed practice squad defensive lineman Sylvester Williams to take his spot.

Following five trick-or-treat seasons with the Jaguars, the 2014 third-overall pick had to settle for a backup gig with the Rams last season. He saw time in three games behind Jared Goff, completing one of his two pass attempts. Bortles sat in free agency for the entire offseason, but he eventually got a contract from the Broncos following Lock’s injury in Week 2.

With the 23-year-old appearing to be recovered from his rotator cuff strain, the Broncos apparently so no use for the 28-year-old Bortles. The team will instead move forward with Brett Rypien or Jeff Driskel as the backup quarterbacks.

Williams, a first-round pick by the Broncos back in 2013, reunited with his old team earlier this month when he inked a practice squad deal. The 31-year-old appeared in five games for the Chargers last season, compiling five tackles.

The Broncos have made a few other moves to their roster. Mike Klis of 9News in Denver reports (via Twitter) that the team has promoted running back Jeremy Cox and linebacker Josh Watson to their active roster. Cox, a former standout at Old Dominion, will serve as the third running back with Melvin Gordon on the shelf. Watson joined the Broncos as an undrafted free agent out of Colorado State in 2019. He’s appeared in nine career games for Denver, collecting a pair of tackles.

Broncos Add DLs Sylvester Williams, Darius Kilgo To Practice Squad

October 3rd, 2020 at 8:39am CST by Zachary Links

The Broncos are adding two familiar faces to their practice squad. Mike Klis of 9News in Denver reports (via Twitter) that Denver has signed defensive tackles Sylvester Williams and Darius Kilgo. The two players auditioned for the Broncos earlier this week alongside Timmy Jernigan (who ultimately signed with the team), David Moa, Brian Price, and Niles Scott.

Williams was a first-round pick by the Broncos back in 2013, and while he never really lived up to his potential, he still managed to play a role for those competitive Denver squads. The lineman ultimately spend four seasons with the Broncos, starting a pair of Super Bowls (and winning one).

He signed a three-year deal with the Titans prior to the 2017 campaign, but he lasted less than a year in Tennessee. He’s since had stints with the Lions, Dolphins, Saints, and Chargers, and he had five tackles in five games with Los Angeles in 2019.

A 2015 sixth-round pick by Denver, Kilgo was also a member of that Broncos Super Bowl-winning squad. The 28-year-old hasn’t done a whole lot since getting released by Denver during the 2016 campaign; he compiled five tackles in 11 games for the Titans in 2018, but that’s been it. He’s also had stints with the Patriots (where he earned a second Super Bowl ring), Jaguars, Titans, and Lions.

Broncos Work Out Sylvester Williams

October 1st, 2020 at 2:47pm CST by Zachary Links

Timmy Jernigan wasn’t the only defensive tackle to meet with the Broncos this week. The club also auditioned five other interior linemen, including former first round pick Sylvester Williams, per the league’s official record. Darius Kilgo, David Moa, Brian Price, and Niles Scott also took part in the audition. 

[RELATED: Broncos To Sign Timmy Jernigan]

Williams, 31, has not lived up to his billing as the No. 28 overall pick in the 2013 draft. Still, he’s been mostly employed for the last seven seasons. Williams has played for the Titans, Lions, and Dolphins, and Chargers since leaving the Broncos. The Saints rostered him briefly last summer.

The 330-pound veteran appeared in five games for the Bolts last year, but wasn’t first-string for any of those appearances. The bulk of his 63 career starts came with the Broncos, followed by eleven starts with the Titans in 2017. He might not be a world-beater, but he does come with ample experience, including two Super Bowl starts.

It’s not immediately clear whether the Broncos are still in the market for a defensive tackle or nose tackle after signing Jernigan. But, at minimum, they should have a couple of candidates on their emergency list, which is pretty key given their rash of injuries this year.

Chargers To Sign DT Sylvester Williams

October 22nd, 2019 at 4:47pm CST by Sam Robinson

Sylvester Williams will head back to an AFC West team. The former Broncos first-round pick agreed to terms with the Chargers, according to his agency (Twitter link). Williams worked out for the Chargers this week, per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (on Twitter).

While the 2013 No. 28 overall selection has not quite lived up to that billing, he has continued to receive calls from defensive tackle-seeking teams. Williams has played for the Titans, Lions and Dolphins since leaving Denver. The Saints rostered him briefly this summer.

Williams worked out for the Bears this week, according to Sirius XM Radio’s Adam Caplan (on Twitter), but the Chargers ended up adding him. The Chargers worked out defensive lineman Adolphus Washington, ex-Raider starter Justin Ellis and P.J. Johnson but are going with Williams.

The 30-year-old lineman started four games for the Lions last season and 11 for the 2017 Titans. In Denver, Williams started 48 games and was a first-stringer in two Super Bowls.

Both starting defensive tackles, Brandon Mebane and Justin Jones, missed Sunday’s game due to injuries — two of many maladies to affect the Chargers’ starting lineup this season. The Bolts now have seven defensive tackles on their 53-man roster, including two rookies and recently signed T.Y. McGill. It’s possible the Williams move will precede another at this position.

NFL Workout Notes: 10/8/19

October 8th, 2019 at 9:50pm CST by Rory Parks

Here are today’s workout updates. There are a number of notable names on this list, so pay attention!

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Los Angeles Chargers

New England Patriots

Oakland Raiders

Philadelphia Eagles

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Redskins

Saints To Release DT Sylvester Williams

August 31st, 2019 at 1:44pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Saints will move on from one of their mid-offseason defensive additions. They will release veteran defensive tackle Sylvester Williams, Nick Underhill of The Athletic tweets.

Williams has bounced around since his four-year Broncos tenure concluded after the 2016 season. The former first-round pick played for the Titans in 2017 and split time with the Lions and Dolphins last season.

The 30-year-old defender played 376 snaps in 2018, starting four games with the Lions and playing 14 total in Detroit and Miami. His last full-season starter role came with the Broncos in 2016. The Titans used Williams as an 11-game starter in their 3-4 defense.

Williams marks the second veteran inside defender the Saints moved on from today. They also released Ziggy Hood, whom they signed just ahead of training camp. Hood was last a full-time player with the 2017 Redskins, with whom he was a 13-game starter.

Saints Sign DT Sylvester Williams

May 13th, 2019 at 4:15pm CST by Zachary Links

The Saints have signed defensive tackle Sylvester Williams, according to a team announcement. The former first-round pick auditioned for the Saints way back in October and showed enough during this month’s rookie minicamp to earn a deal. 

Williams was an All-American at North Carolina, which helped him become a first round pick of the Broncos back in 2013. Williams spent the first four years of his career with Denver, but didn’t have his fifth-year option picked up. He signed a three-year pact with the Titans, but was released after just one year. After stops in Detroit and Miami, he’ll try to get back on track in New Orleans.

Between Miami and Detroit, Williams appeared in 14 games last season, including four starts. He’s managed to be a decent run-stuffer in the past, and is still only 30. The Saints had one of the league’s best defensive lines and run defenses last year, but standout defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins tore his Achilles right at the end of the year, so Williams could offer some value as a depth addition.

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