The anticipation is building for Dre Greenlaw’s Broncos debut.

As expected, the inside linebacker was activated from injured reserve Saturday after missing the first six games of the season due to a quad injury. While he was listed as questionable Friday for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants at Empower Field at Mile High, he is expected to play in a limited capacity.

The Broncos on Friday cleared a roster spot for Greenlaw by releasing third-string quarterback Sam Ehlinger. A source said Friday that Ehlinger, a vested veteran who did not have to go through waivers, would be re-signed to the practice squad and that move was made Saturday.

To make room for Ehlinger, the Broncos released defensive back A.J. Woods from the practice squad. They also released wide receiver Thayer Thomas from the practice squad injured list with an injury settlement.

Greenlaw signed a three-year, $31.5 million contract last March after six seasons with San Francisco. He sat out spring drills due to a quad injury suffered while working out. He then sustained what Broncos coach Sean Payton said was a different quad injury in a July 31 practice.

Greenlaw didn’t play in the preseason or in the first two games of the regular season. He then was placed on injured reserve Sept. 20, assuring he would miss four more games.

Greenlaw was designated for return from injured reserve on Wednesday, and was limited that day and on Thursday in practice. He took part Friday in his first full practice of the regular season.

“Positive,’’ Payton said Friday about Greenlaw’s progress. “He was able to go, move around.”

Linebacker Levelle Bailey, who is on the practice squad, also said Greenlaw had a good week.

“He was out there flying around,’’ Bailey said. “He looked good. He brought the energy back in the room. You can just tell the vibe is just different on the defense when he’s out there flying around and the competitive leadership that he brings to the table.”

With Greenlaw back on the active roster, Bailey said, “he’s going to bring that extra push for sure” to the defense.

It remains to be seen how the Broncos will handle Greenlaw’s snaps moving forward. While Alex Singleton has been in for every snap this season at inside linebacker, Justin Strnad has replaced Greenlaw and played 75% of the snaps. Strnad has looked good, being third on the team with 3.5 sacks and fifth with 25 tackles.

When Ehlinger was released Friday, it was understood he would be signed Saturday to the practice squad. He received a full game check for the week since he was on the 53-man roster past Tuesday.

Ehlinger will have up to three elevations available to him when on the practice squad. The Broncos are likely to use elevations on him so he can get full game checks even though he likely wouldn’t be active for games.

The Giants on Saturday downgraded wide receiver Darius Slayton (hamstring) and defensive lineman Chauncey Golston (neck) to out after they had been listed Friday as doubtful. The Giants on Friday already had ruled out linebackers Swayze Boseman (ankle) and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (hamstring) and offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz (concussion).