To clear spot for LB Dre Greenlaw, Broncos release QB Sam Ehlinger but will re-sign him to practice squad
Linebacker Dre Greenlaw is back with the Broncos and quarterback Sam Ehlinger soon will be back.
Greenlaw, who was suspended by the NFL for one game for unsportsmanlike conduct, was moved Tuesday from the suspended list back to the 53-man roster. To create room, the Broncos released quarterback Sam Ehlinger but a source said he plans to re-sign Wednesday to the practice squad.
The Broncos on Tuesday also released from the practice squad outside linebacker Garrett Nelson and wide receiver Samori Toure.
Green was suspended for going after referee Brad Allen and threatening him on the field following Denver’s 33-32 win over the New York Giants on Oct. 19. He was reinstated by the league Monday and the Broncos had a roster exemption until Tuesday.
Ehlinger is a vested veteran who doesn’t have to go through waivers and has wanted to remain with the Broncos, whether it is on the active roster or practice squad. He was on the practice squad until being signed to the 53-man roster Sept. 6. He was released Oct. 17 and re-signed to the practice squad Oct. 18. Then he was signed back to the 53-man roster last Wednesday.
The Broncos want Ehlinger to continue to get full game checks, so he is a candidate to be elevated to the active roster for Sunday’s game at Houston. He can be elevated up to three times this season by the Broncos. They haven’t needed to use one yet this season since Ehlinger has gotten a full game check for each of the first eight weeks.
Surtain not shelved Tuesday
Broncos star cornerback Pat Surtain II, who suffered a strained left pectoral muscle in Sunday’s 44-24 win over Dallas, was not placed Tuesday on injured reserve.
A source said Monday that Surtain will miss “some time” with the injury and he is not expected to play against the Texans. For now, the Broncos consider him “week to week.”
Players on injured reserve must miss at least four games. If the Broncos want to shelve him and have Houston be his first game missed, they would need to place him on injured reserve by Saturday. If Surtain were to be put on injured reserve, he would need to be out five weeks since the Broncos have a bye week after playing Houston, Las Vegas at home Nov. 6 at home and Kansas City at home Nov. 16 and before they play at Washington on Nov. 30.