Denver Broncos

Broncos receiver Demaryius Thomas is working out at full speed with the team this spring, a welcomed change compared to previous offseasons when he's missed time with injuries. On Tuesday, Thomas touched on his injury history, saying that losing weight might be the key to him staying on the field for 16 games. "I actually trimmed down a little to 228," he told the Denver Post. "I played 232 last year. I want to play at 222."

The Broncos have placed DL Ty Warren (triceps) on injured reserve. He will miss Week 2 against Cincinnati and the rest of the season for Denver.

Triceps - IR. Out for the season

The Denver Broncos have signed former Chicago Bears backup quarterback Caleb Hanie to a two-year deal to back up Peyton Manning. Hanie, 26, who played at Colorado State, spent the last three seasons in Chicago. He replaced an injured Jay Cutler in the NFC championship two years ago and nearly rallied the Bears past the Packers. But he went 0-4 in place of Cutler last season, including a loss at Denver.

Broncos DB Quinton Carter left the game Saturday at Buffalo in Week 16 with a hamstring injury, coach John Fox said. He was replaced by rookie Rahim Moore.

The Denver Post reports that Willis McGahee has asked for a new contract after leading the Broncos in rushing last year and making the Pro Bowl. The Broncos have reportedly denied the request. He enters the second year of a four-year contract in 2011.

Notable cuts made by the Broncos on Saturday include: WR David Anderson, DE Jeremy Beal, CB Brandon Bing, LB Alvin Bowen, DT Ronnell Brown, CB Perrish Cox, WR Britt Davis, WR D'Andre Goodwin, TE Dan Gronkowski, K Steven Hauschka, DT Jeremy Jarmon, RB Jeremiah Johnson, S Kyle McCarthy, WR Greg Orton, DT DeMario Pressley, WR Eron Riley, LB Lee Robinson, TE Dante Rosario, RB Austin Sylvester and QB Adam Weber.

On Monday, the Broncos signed LB Dominic Douglas, RB Jeremiah Johnson, RB Brandon Minor, DB Nick Polk, WR Eron Riley and DL Mitch Unrein to future contracts.

The 49ers cut down the roster by 26 on Saturday to get to the league-mandated 53 players on deadline. Among the casualties were WRs Ronald Johnson, Joe Hastings, Lance Long and Chris Hogan, CBs Phillip Adams, Phillip Davis, and Cory Nelms, LB Alex Joseph, TE Nate Lawrie, C Chase Beeler, QB McLeod Bethel-Thomspon, FB Jack Corcoran, DT Brian Bulcke, S Chris Maragos, RB Xavier Omon, TE Konrad Reuland, LB Monte Simmons, LB Kenny Rowe, NT Sealver Siliga, FS Curtis Taylor, and DB Anthony West.

Tight end Joel Dreessen has signed with the Broncos. The free agent also considered re-signing with the Texans but chose the opportunity to play with Peyton Manning. He'll likely split time with Jacob Tamme, who also signed with the Broncos. Dreessen caught a career-best six touchdowns last season with 353 yards on 28 catches. The year prior he saw extensive playing time and caught 36 passes for 518 yards and four scores.

Broncos RB Lance Ball carried the ball 13 times for 44 yards in Saturday's 45-10 loss to the Patriots. He was the second-leading rusher on the team behind Willis McGahee. Ball was also targeted once in the contest, but could not haul it in.

The Broncos placed DL Kevin Vickerson (ankle) on injured reserve Monday to clear a roster spot for FB Quinn Johnson.

Ankle - IR. Out for the season

Wesley Woodyard agreed to a two-year deal with the Broncos on Monday. Woodyard, an undrafted free agent out of Kentucky in 2008, has played in at least 15 games in three of his four NFL seasons. He was a team captain the last two years and had 97 total tackles in 2011, per The Sports Xchange. Woodyard is the team's leader in special teams tackles since 2008.

Broncos LB D.J. Williams was held to five catches Saturday at Buffalo in Week 16. He had four solo tackles.

The Broncos drafted four defensive players in April's draft, the biggest of which (figuratively and literally) was Cincinnati defensive tackle Derek Wolfe. The 6-foot-5, 295-pound run-stuffer is expected to boost the team's defensive line rotation. Denver also drafted Arizona State cornerback Omar Bolden, Tennessee defensive end Malik Jackson and Kentucky outside linebacker Danny Trevathan. Bolden is a medical gamble considering that he missed all of 2011 with a torn ACL. Jackson is a project-type player who played defensive tackle when he should have played end for the Volunteers, and Trevathan led the SEC in tackles in each of the last two seasons.

Broncos receiver Eric Decker is off to a great start in developing rhythm and chemistry with new quarterback Peyton Manning, and it's making him look into all aspects of his game. He told the Denver Post that he's working on putting on some muscle this offseason. "Personally, for me, I think it's finding that right balance nutritionally, getting enough sleep, working and grinding in the weight room," Decker said. "I did feel like I lost some weight and lost some strength. Mentally, it dragged on you a little bit because that was my first full season of playing a lot every game."

Knee - Probable for start of training camp

Broncos RB Jeremiah Johnson saw extended action Saturday at Buffalo in Week 16. Johnson had six carries for 23 yards and two catches for 19 yards.

Wide receiver Andre Caldwell signed a two-year deal with Denver on Wednesday. Caldwell ended last season on the injured reserve because of a groin injury but he's expected to be ready for the start of the season. In 13 games for the Bengals last season, Caldwell caught 37 passes for 317 yards and three touchdowns. He has 124 career receptions in four seasons. Caldwell said that Peyton Manning signing with Denver was a big factor. "He's a veteran quarterback who knows how to win games. He knows how to put players in positions to be their best. He gets the best out of his receivers," Caldwell said. "It got real serious after they got Peyton. It heated up and I was all on board after they signed Peyton."

Groin - Probable for start of training camp

Arizona State quarterback Brock Osweiler is a lucky guy: By getting picked by the Broncos with a second-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, he'll get tutored by the likes of starter Peyton Manning and Hall of Famer and current Broncos VP John Elway. He also won't have to play right away. The quarterback-in-waiting can't wait to be mentored by Manning. The 6-foot-7 Osweiler is a former high school hoops standout who turned down a scholarship on the hardwood at Gonzaga to remain on the gridiron at ASU. "I could not be any more excited to be going to Denver to learn from Peyton Manning," said Osweiler, who threw for 4,036 yards and 26 TDs last season for the Sun Devils. "A lot of quarterbacks might be upset having to sit behind somebody where I look at it as a tremendous opportunity to learn from one of the best, if not the best to ever play the game."

In an interview with Moving The Chains on SiriusXM NFL Radio, new Broncos tight end Jacob Tamme sounded very excited to follow quarterback Peyton Manning to Denver from Indy, adding that he "looks great." Tamme's also excited about the direction of the new offense, calling it a mix of what he did with Manning with the Colts and what offensive coordinator Mike McCoy wants to do. On the topic of his specific role with the Broncos, Tamme didn't want to give away much but did offer what he thinks is great about being a tight end. "I'm comfortable in slot and love that, but I would say I lined up on the line of scrimmage more than everywhere else [with the Colts]," Tamme said. " ... We should be able to move around and what we're going to do offensively, hopefully, we'll be able to move around some. I think that's what's great about playing tight end these days, you get to do everything. It's what makes the position a lot of fun."

The Broncos have signed cornerback Rashod Moulton to their practice squad. He takes the spot that opened when the New York Giants signed cornerback D.J. Johnson to their active roster from Denver's practice squad Wednesday. Moulton was on the Broncos' practice squad for the last half of last season. He was waived Sept. 4.

Broncos DE Robert Ayers suffered a knee sprain at Miami in Week 7. Ayers totaled two total tackles before getting hurt.

The Steelers released 21 players on Friday, reducing their roster to 58 players. The 21 players released included linebackers Baraka Atkins, Mario Harvey, Chris McCoy and Mortty Ivy, defensive lineman Corbin Bryant, defensive backs Brett Greenwood, Macho Harris, Donovan Warren and Da’Mon Cromartie-Smith, running backs James Johnson and John Clay, offensive linemen Colin Miller, Kyle Jolly, John Malecki, Trevis Turner and Keith Williams, wide receivers Armand Robinson, Wes Lyons and Tyler Grisham, tight end Jamie McCoy and kicker Swayze Waters.

Browns DB Mike Adams had 10 tackles (six solo), an interception, and a pass defended in the Browns' 14-3 loss to the Steelers in Week 14.

The Broncos signed DB Tony Carter from the practice squad on Tuesday and waived DB Kyle McCarthy.

Broncos rookie CB Chris Harris said he left the game Saturday at Buffalo in Week 16 with a stinger but should be fine for next week's pivotal matchup against Kansas City. "I'll definitely be playing Sunday," Harris said.

The Eagles announced that they moved closer to the league-mandated 53 players on the active roster by releasing several players Friday. Among the casualties included LB Rashad Jeanty, S Jamar Wall, WR Rod Harper, DE Chris Wilson, center A.Q. Shipley, TE Cornelius Ingram, FB Stanley Havili, guard Dallas Reynolds, and RB Graig Cooper.

With Peyton Manning joining the Broncos, many people believe their offense will begin putting up some big numbers. That could and should mean more opportunities for field goals and extra points for kicker Matt Prater. Kickers playing with Manning in Indianapolis finished as Top 10 options in seven of his 13 years there. Prater, who has been given the franchise tag by the Broncos, has finished as a Top 10 kicker in Fantasy just once and has made 80 percent of his field goals in that span.

Broncos wide receiver Matt Willis is getting quite a quarterback upgrade, going from catching passes from Tim Tebow (47.3 career completion percentage, 6.75 yards per attempt) to Peyton Manning (64.9 career completion percentage, 7.60 yards per attempt). Manning is one of the NFL's most prolific passers and said in his introductory press conference that he's looking forward to getting to know all of his new teammates.

The Broncos opened their OTAs on Monday to the media, and all eyes were on quarterback Peyton Manning. According to first-hand accounts, including those of the Denver Post, Manning looked like his old self. He displayed his trademark accuracy on his passes short and long, which were thrown with plenty of velocity. Manning worked with his entire receiving corps and was vocal with them through the practice. The quarterback was pleased with the tempo of the practice and was ultimately happy to get back on the field against a defense after missing so much time with his neck injury. "I really need to use this time," Manning said. "I do think there's a difference when you are on the field, in helmets, going up against the defense. Up until now we haven't been able to go against a defense, so this will be great work for me. This was one step, and there are different phases; training camp will be your next phase, putting on shoulder pads, then preseason and regular season. I'm just taking it one day at a time, but I was excited for this day to get here."

Neck - Questionable for start of 2012 training camp

In a swap of three-year veterans who entered the NFL as undrafted free agents, the Broncos traded cornerback Cassius Vaughn to the Colts on Wednesday for fullback Chris Gronkowski. Chris becomes the second Gronkowski brother to play for the Broncos; tight end Dan Gronkowski was with the team in 2010.

The Browns have released the following players: DL Andre Carroll, WR L.J. Castile, DB Cove Francies, TE Evan Frosch, DB Carl Gettis, LB Eric Gordon, DL Travis Ivey, WR Chris Matthews, LB Steve Octavien, DL Ko Quaye, CB Ramzee Robinson, CB DeAngelo Smith, LB Sidney Tarver and WR Demetrius Williams.

Denver DB Champ Bailey had two interceptions and two tackles during the Broncos' 38-24 victory over Oakland in Week 9. Bailey picked off QB Carson Palmer twice as he recorded multiple interceptions for the first time since Dec. 17, 2006 against Arizona.

The Denver Broncos announced Sunday that injured RB Mario Fannin (knee) cleared waivers and will be placed on injured reserve, ending his rookie season.

Knee - IR. Out for the season

With Cb Cassius Vaughn landing on season-ending IR Monday, the Broncos signed LB Mike Mohamed to take his place on the active roster. Mohamed was released by Denver earlier in the season.

The 49ers signed RB Ian Johnson to the practice squad on Monday. In a corresponding move, the team released RB Xavier Omon.

The Denver Post reports that Broncos tight end Julius Thomas, who saw his rookie season ruined by a severe Week 2 ankle injury last September, had surgery to repair ligaments this past week. Thomas will begin his recovery as the Broncos are set to open their offseason program April 16. Thomas will be limited to work with the team’s training and medical staff as the Broncos go through their offseason conditioning and team workouts over the next two months. Thomas finished the season with one reception for 5 yards — against the Bengals in the game he suffered the injury. He was gameday inactive for 11 games in the regular season in 2011.

Ankle - Probable for start of 2012 training camp

The Broncos signed DB Rafael Bush on Monday. Bush, who began the season on the Falcons' practice squad, will take the roster spot of Brandon Lloyd, who was traded to the Rams earlier in the day.

Notable cuts made by the Broncos on Saturday include: WR David Anderson, DE Jeremy Beal, CB Brandon Bing, LB Alvin Bowen, DT Ronnell Brown, CB Perrish Cox, WR Britt Davis, WR D'Andre Goodwin, TE Dan Gronkowski, K Steven Hauschka, DT Jeremy Jarmon, RB Jeremiah Johnson, S Kyle McCarthy, WR Greg Orton, DT DeMario Pressley, WR Eron Riley, LB Lee Robinson, TE Dante Rosario, RB Austin Sylvester and QB Adam Weber.

Broncos receiver Mark Dell sprained a knee in Thursday's preseason opener against the Cowboys. He had a 26-yard reception before leaving with the injury. The team is considering him day to day for now.

The Broncos drafted four defensive players in April's draft, the biggest of which (figuratively and literally) was Cincinnati defensive tackle Derek Wolfe. The 6-foot-5, 295-pound run-stuffer is expected to boost the team's defensive line rotation. Denver also drafted Arizona State cornerback Omar Bolden, Tennessee defensive end Malik Jackson and Kentucky outside linebacker Danny Trevathan. Bolden is a medical gamble considering that he missed all of 2011 with a torn ACL. Jackson is a project-type player who played defensive tackle when he should have played end for the Volunteers, and Trevathan led the SEC in tackles in each of the last two seasons.

Notable cuts made by the Broncos on Saturday include: WR David Anderson, DE Jeremy Beal, CB Brandon Bing, LB Alvin Bowen, DT Ronnell Brown, CB Perrish Cox, WR Britt Davis, WR D'Andre Goodwin, TE Dan Gronkowski, K Steven Hauschka, DT Jeremy Jarmon, RB Jeremiah Johnson, S Kyle McCarthy, WR Greg Orton, DT DeMario Pressley, WR Eron Riley, LB Lee Robinson, TE Dante Rosario, RB Austin Sylvester and QB Adam Weber.

A crowded field of cornerbacks didn't deter veteran free agent Drayton Florence from picking the Denver Broncos as his new team. The Broncos have strengthened their defensive backfield this offseason, also bringing aboard veteran Tracy Porter to play with perennial Pro Bowler Champ Bailey. And they drafted Arizona State cornerback Omar Bolden in the fourth round to compete with holdovers Chris Harris, Tony Carter, Syd'Quan Thompson and Cassius Vaughn. Florence is a 10th-year pro whose release from the Bills was regarded as a mild surprise. He had 45 starts in 46 games during his three-year stint with Buffalo. But the versatile veteran was slated to make $4 million in base salary this season. Florence had seven of his 17 career interceptions with Buffalo. He spent his first five NFL seasons with San Diego, followed by a year in Jacksonville before signing with the Bills in 2009. Another factor that helped Denver land Florence is that he played for Broncos defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio his one season in Jacksonville, where Del Rio was the head coach. "Yes, the familiarity always is good when you've played for somebody and you know how they work," Florence said. "The system, the language is going to be familiar."

Justin Bannan expects his second stint with the Denver Broncos to go much better than his first. The 11th-year defensive tackle signed a one-year deal Wednesday to return to the team he played for during a 4-12 season in 2010, the worst in franchise history. Now, he gets to play between Pro Bowl pass-rushers Elvis Dumervil, who missed the entire 2010 season, and Von Miller, the 2011 Defensive Rookie of the Year.

The Lions released the following players Saturday: WR Dominique Barnes, DT Robert Callaway, LB Caleb Campbell, RB Matt Clapp, DE Keyunta Dawson, TE Joe Jon Finley, DB Aaron Francisco, WR Nate Hughes, RB Ian Johnson, DB Anthony Madison, DB Prince Miller, LB Cobrani Mixon DT Quinn Pitcock, DB Paul Pratt, TE Gijon Robinson, QB Zac Robinson, DB Ricardo Silva, WR Tim Toone, DB Nathan Vasher, WR Derrick Williams and DE Narada Williams.

Broncos DL Elvis Dumervil continued to get after the quarterback against the Steelers in the first round of the playoffs. He brought down QB Ben Roethlisberger once and also posted two tackles in the 29-23 win. Miller now has 10.5 sacks between the regular and postseason.

Drafting Von Miller with the No. 2 overall pick in the draft wasn't enough for the Broncos as they spent three other picks on linebackers. Denver drafted N.C. State linebacker Nate Irving (Round 3), Cal LB Mike Mohamed (Round 6) and Oklahoma LB Jeremy Beal (Round 7). Irving survived a serious car accident in 2009 to play pretty well in 2010 (20.5 tackles for loss) and is a versatile 'backer. Mohamed is more of a 'tweener who can cover slot receivers and tight ends. Beal isn't fast but does have experience in the 3-4 scheme and could move to defensive end for the Broncos.

The Broncos signed WR Jason Hill on Wednesday, the Denver Post reported. Hill started 10 games for the Jaguars last year but was waived Nov. 30, one day after then-coach Jack Del Rio was fired. Del Rio became the Broncos' defensive coordinator on Jan. 26.

Denver LB Von Miller received 39 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the NFL to claim the 2011 Associated Press NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award. San Francisco LB Aldon Smith was second with 11 votes. Miller made 64 tackles and had 11 1/2 sacks despite missing one game and playing the last four contests with a cumbersome cast protecting his surgically repaired right thumb. “It’s special because you only get one rookie season,” Miller said. “You don’t get two tries at it. It’s really a one-and-done thing. That was probably the most special thing about it, you only get one shot to accomplish this feat.”

Denver backup DB David Bruton suffered an apparent head injury while making a fourth-quarter tackle during Saturday's preseason game against Buffalo. Bruton and Darcel McBath are battling for one of the final spots on the back end of the Broncos' defense.

Brandon Stokley will reunite with the Broncos -- and with Peyton Manning -- in 2012. Multiple sources report that he signed a one-year deal with the team and will compete for a role in the offense this summer. Stokley played three seasons in Denver (2007 through 2009) after spending four seasons in Indianapolis with Manning. One of those seasons, 2004, included a 68-catch, 1,077-yard, 10-touchdown campaign, all career-highs.

Linebacker Joe Mays was excited to get a three-year, $12 million deal to stay in Denver. Mays has started 17 games since arriving in Denver from Philadelphia in 2010. He had 75 tackles and 12 starts last season, playing mostly on early downs.

The Broncos lured cornerback Tracy Porter, who picked off one of Peyton Manning's passes in the Saints' win over the Colts in the Super Bowl three years ago. Now, both will try to win a second Super Bowl together with the Broncos. Porter spent his first four seasons in New Orleans, collecting seven interceptions, 37 pass deflections, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He also started six playoff games, and the highlight of his career is a 74-yard interception return for a TD in the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl that denied Manning a second championship.

Denver LB Jason Hunter failed to register a tackle in the Broncos' 33-28 loss to San Diego in Week 17 on Sunday. It was the time this season Hunter did not record a stop but he did record two tackles on special teams.

The Broncos drafted four defensive players in April's draft, the biggest of which (figuratively and literally) was Cincinnati defensive tackle Derek Wolfe. The 6-foot-5, 295-pound run-stuffer is expected to boost the team's defensive line rotation. Denver also drafted Arizona State cornerback Omar Bolden, Tennessee defensive end Malik Jackson and Kentucky outside linebacker Danny Trevathan. Bolden is a medical gamble considering that he missed all of 2011 with a torn ACL. Jackson is a project-type player who played defensive tackle when he should have played end for the Volunteers, and Trevathan led the SEC in tackles in each of the last two seasons.

In an interview with Moving The Chains on SiriusXM NFL Radio, new Broncos tight end Jacob Tamme gave an encouraging scouting report on rookie rusher Ronnie Hillman. "He seems to have a lot of quickness," Tamme said. "I've got to see him carry a few and catch some passes, he seems like a guy who can really move and sort of be a threat from the scatback-type position."

Notable cuts made by the Broncos on Saturday include: WR David Anderson, DE Jeremy Beal, CB Brandon Bing, LB Alvin Bowen, DT Ronnell Brown, CB Perrish Cox, WR Britt Davis, WR D'Andre Goodwin, TE Dan Gronkowski, K Steven Hauschka, DT Jeremy Jarmon, RB Jeremiah Johnson, S Kyle McCarthy, WR Greg Orton, DT DeMario Pressley, WR Eron Riley, LB Lee Robinson, TE Dante Rosario, RB Austin Sylvester and QB Adam Weber.

The Bears made their second draft pick signing by inking CB Joshua Moore to a four-year deal. Moore was their fifth-round pick out of Kansas State (141st overall).

The Broncos placed WR Jamel Hamler (back), RB Brandon Minor (undisclosed) and CB Syd'Quan Thompson (Achilles) on Injured Reserve on Saturday. All three will miss the season.

Achilles - IR. Out for the season

Denver TE Virgil Green had one catch for 9 yards on one target Saturday at Buffalo in Week 16.

The Cardinals made 27 cuts on Friday to get down the to league-mandated 53-man roster for the start of the season. Among those cut was veteran punter Ben Graham. The cuts also included safety Jared Campbell, cornerback Fred Bennett, center Ben Claxton, quarterback Brodie Croyle, linebacker Will Davis, cornerback Marshay Green, defensive end Kenny Iwebema, tackle Cliff Louis, nose tackle Ricky Lumpkin, fullback Reagan Maui’a, defensive end Jeremy Navarre, wide receiver Aaron Nichols, cornerback Bryant Nnabuife, linebacker Cyril Obiozor, center Kris O’Dowd, guard Tom Pestock, running back William Powell, tight end Steve Skelton, linebacker Kendall Smith, linebacker Pago Togafau, cornerback Thad Turner, safety Matt Ware, wide receiver Isaiah Williams and tackle D.J. Young. Guard Floyd Womack (shoulder) and wide receiver Sean Jeffcoat (shoulder) were also placed on injured reserve.

Chicago moved LB Brian Iwuh (hamstring) to injured reserve on Tuesday and promoted LB Patrick Trahan from the team's practice squad. Iwuh is the third special teams player to be placed on IR for the Bears this month.

Hamstring - IR. Out for the season

The Broncos drafted four defensive players in April's draft, the biggest of which (figuratively and literally) was Cincinnati defensive tackle Derek Wolfe. The 6-foot-5, 295-pound run-stuffer is expected to boost the team's defensive line rotation. Denver also drafted Arizona State cornerback Omar Bolden, Tennessee defensive end Malik Jackson and Kentucky outside linebacker Danny Trevathan. Bolden is a medical gamble considering that he missed all of 2011 with a torn ACL. Jackson is a project-type player who played defensive tackle when he should have played end for the Volunteers, and Trevathan led the SEC in tackles in each of the last two seasons.

Notable cuts made by the Broncos on Saturday include: WR David Anderson, DE Jeremy Beal, CB Brandon Bing, LB Alvin Bowen, DT Ronnell Brown, CB Perrish Cox, WR Britt Davis, WR D'Andre Goodwin, TE Dan Gronkowski, K Steven Hauschka, DT Jeremy Jarmon, RB Jeremiah Johnson, S Kyle McCarthy, WR Greg Orton, DT DeMario Pressley, WR Eron Riley, LB Lee Robinson, TE Dante Rosario, RB Austin Sylvester and QB Adam Weber.

Knowshon Moreno participated in OTA workouts with the Broncos just six months after tearing his ACL in a Week 10 game against the Chiefs.

Knee - Questionable for start of training camp

Denver DB Rahim Moore suffered a concussion on the first play from scrimmage in Week 9 at Oakland and was ruled out. Fellow rookie Quinton Carter, who suffered a concussion last week against Detroit, took his place. Broncos DB Andre Goodman was shaken up on the play, too, as he and Moore converged on Raiders WR Denarius Moore.