The Denver Broncos, looking to pare their roster down to the league-mandated 53 players by Tuesday's 2:00 pm deadline, have released two of their running backs. Both moves were predicted.
First, the Broncos chose to part ways with last year's fifth-round pick, Audric Estime. It's a stunning turn of events for a player who was once considered to be a huge part of Denver's backfield, but things changed this season when the team drafted RJ Harvey and signed J.K. Dobbins.
Estime did not seem to handle the challenge of falling down the depth chart well, and former Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay described him as pouting over it. The team gave him plenty of opportunities to keep his spot this preseason, but he couldn't beat out Jaleel McLaughlin or Tyler Badie.
The same result was given to Blake Watson, who the Broncos are waiving with an injury settlement. Watson was hurt in the team's preseason finale against the New Orleans Saints on Saturday. The promising former undrafted free agent had to be one of the team's toughest cuts.
The Broncos may have interest in bringing one or both of these players back to the practice squad, but there is a high chance that both are claimed by other teams on waivers. However, in the case of Estime, it might be best for both sides to just move on.
Depending on the RB injury situation, I’d take a flier on Audric Estimé on waivers if I’m the #Bears.
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) August 25, 2025
Bowling ball of a human being who got screwed over with a packed Broncos RB room. Somebody’s gonna claim him if it’s not Chicago. pic.twitter.com/wpIe9ZklAO
READ: Broncos predicted to cut one of top players to hit the waiver wire
The Broncos will have to release a total of 37 players by the deadline in order to go from 90 players down to 53.
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