Broncos Place Baron Browning on PUP List, Make 3 Other Roster Moves
The Denver Broncos are less than a week away from kicking off training camp. As the team gets its roster in order, a few roster decisions were announced on Sunday.
The Broncos placed outside linebacker Baron Browning and wide receiver Kendall Hinton on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, while defensive tackle Mike Purcell and wideout KJ Hamler landed on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list.
The two big names here are Browning and Hamler, but they're on two different list designations. Browning is recovering from offseason surgery to repair a meniscus, while Hamler suffered a torn pec earlier this past spring.
Purcell and Hinton are known quantities among Broncos fans, too, but it's the former with a projected starting role in 2023 on the defensive line. Let's quickly define what each of these lists means and when the Broncos can get these players back.
PUP: The Broncos can remove Browning or Hinton at any time during training camp, but they won't be able to put them back on the list again. If either of these players are still on the PUP when the final roster cuts are made, the Broncos will have to put them on the Reserve/PUP list or trade them. They count against the 53-man roster.
NFI: This is for players who suffer an injury away from team facilities during the offseason. The Broncos are not obligated to pay a player's salary while he's on the NFI list, but some teams will make concessions to keep a guy happy in many cases. NFI players can return to camp at anytime, but if they're on the list as of the final cutdowns, they can't be activated until after the first four games.
Among players still on the Broncos' roster, Browning had the most sacks last year with five. If Vance Joseph's pass rush is going to get up to speed this year, the Broncos will need him in the lineup sooner than later.
Purcell is the second most-concerning case here. The Broncos are woefully thin on the D-line, and he's one of only three truly experienced trenchmen in Denver.
The Broncos can live without either Hamler or Hinton, though it would be nice to see the team get a return on its second-round investment in Hamler at some point. He's entering a contract year... injured.
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