The feeling of dread seemed palpable for those on the bubble Monday inside Broncos headquarters.
Players arrived for practice before Denver’s final preseason game after two veterans, defensive tackle Zach Kerr and outside linebacker Dekoda Watson, were released less than one week before the roster will be cut from 90 to 53 players.
“Excuse my language,” reserve defensive tackle DeShawn Williams said, “but (stuff) just got real.”
Watson and Kerr had combined for 14 NFL seasons, 170 game appearances, 227 tackles, and 13.5 sacks; proven NFL production. But as coach Vic Fangio assembles defensive personnel to fit his scheme, surprises were inevitable, and the release of Kerr opens up intriguing options to fill the interior defensive line depth.