The Broncos have officially closed the book on Drew Sanders.
On Tuesday, Denver released the outside linebacker from injured reserve, ending a stretch that never really got off the ground for the 2023 third-round pick. Sanders had been waived at final cuts with an injury designation, then reverted to IR after clearing waivers.
Sean Payton didn’t hide how hard that kind of ending can be. “It’s difficult because you watch the process, and the effort, and the calories, and the energy and the amount of time,” the head coach said on Aug.
- “I know more than anyone, he was frustrated.
So those are never easy because the make-up and the toughness, it really came down to just the injuries. That’s always difficult.”
Sanders’ time in Denver was repeatedly interrupted by injuries. A torn Achilles the following year and a foot tendon issue in 2025 limited him to just four appearances. He also spent part of that time trying to settle back in at outside linebacker after a few unsuccessful attempts inside.
Payton had pointed to Sanders’ upside back in May. “He’s someone that has that versatility,” Payton said.
“The one thing when you watch him play, when it’s decisive and it’s really good... It can be frustrating when you have an injury and it sets you back just as you’re turning the corner.
So I know he’s looking forward to this season.”
Instead, Sanders leaves Denver with 32 combined tackles, one sack, and a fumble recovery. For a player once viewed as a possible long-term piece, the final line is a reminder of how much was lost along the way.
Even if Sanders had made it through final cuts, there wasn’t much of a path for him on this roster. The Broncos are keeping five outside linebackers on the 53-man roster: Nik Bonitto, Jonathon Cooper, Jonah Elliss, Que Robinson, and Dondrea Tillman. They also have two developmental edge rushers on the practice squad, David Agoha and Johnny Walker Jr.
That leaves little room for Sanders anywhere on the depth chart, and Denver’s current edge picture is already crowded enough. Elliss is expected to start for Cooper against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1, with the Chiefs on the league's Commissioner's Exempt list for an indefinite period.
“All these guys we feel like can play. We like the depth there,” Broncos general manager George Paton said on Aug.
- “We led the league in sacks the last two years, and these guys were all a part of that.”
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