Running back Sincere McCormick’s stay with the Broncos lasted one week.

With Denver on Monday having picked up running back Cody Schrader off waivers from Houston and added to the 53-man roster, McCormick became expendable. He was released off the practice squad Tuesday after being signed the previous Tuesday.

The Broncos have four running backs on the 53-man roster in starter RJ Harvey, Jaleel McLaughlin, Tyler Badie and Schrader and one on the practice squad in Deuce Vaughn. They did not need six total running backs.

However, Harvey suffered a rib injury late in last Sunday’s 34-26 win over Green Bay. It’s uncertain if that will affect Harvey’s status for Sunday’s game against Jacksonville at Empower Field at Mile High, but depth at running back remains important for Denver.

The 5-foot-9, 204-pound McCormick has more NFL experience than the 5-9, 214-pound Schrader. McCormick entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie in 2022 and got into his first five games last season with Las Vegas, rushing for 183 yards, while Schrader was undrafted in 2024 and has 3 career yards rushing in two games with the Los Angeles Rams. However, the Broncos consider Schrader to be a better prospect.

The Broncos have two openings on their practice squad. In addition to McCormick being released Tuesday, safety Keidron Smith was plucked Monday off the squad by the New York Jets.

Broncos’ Week 16 clinching scenarios

It’s possible Denver’s final two regular-season games could be rendered meaningless.

The Broncos (12-2), who clinched a playoff berth with the win over the Packers, have a chance in Week 16 to wrap up both the AFC West and the No. 1 playoff seed in the AFC. For that to happen Sunday, the Broncos would need to defeat Jacksonville (10-4) and have the Los Angeles Chargers (10-4) lose or tie at Dallas (6-7-1), New England (11-3) lose at Baltimore (7-7) and Buffalo (10-4) lose or tie at Cleveland (3-11).

To clinch just the AFC West on Sunday, the Broncos would need to defeat the Jaguars and have the Chargers lose or tie at Dallas. Or they could tie Jacksonville and have the Chargers lose.

The Broncos close the season with a Week 17 game at Kansas City on Christmas night and a Week 18 game at home against the Chargers either Jan. 3 or 4.

Confidence in Locke replacing Jones

Broncos outside linebacker Nik Bonitto was disappointed to see safety Brandon Jones placed Monday on injured reserve with a pectoral injury. But he has confidence in replacement P.J. Locke.

“Obviously, it sucks for B. Jones,” Bonitto said. “He’s one of our leaders but we trust P.J. He’s a guy that’s started for us for years now and (has) been making big plays for us. So, we have full confidence in him.”

After being hurt in the second quarter against the Packers, Jones was replaced for the second half by Locke, who played well. Locke, who has been with Denver since 2019, was a part-time starter in 2023 and a full-time starter last season.