Broncos finalize practice squad with relatively massive salary

The Broncos’ roster is set, with all 53 active roster spots and all 10 practice squad jobs filled.

Denver signed Jonathan Williams to their practice squad Tuesday, after the running back cleared waivers, as first reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Williams was released by the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

The 6-foot, 220-pound back will earn $30,000 per week, more than four times the minimum salary for a practice squad player (7,200) and even greater than the rookie minimum for a player on the active roster. Last season’s highest paid practice squad player in the NFL was Dallas Cowboys’ tight end Rico Gathers who made $26,470 a week.

The 23-year-old played three years at Arkansas before tearing his ACL during his senior season. Williams averaged more than five yards per carry in each of his three seasons prior to the injury. He ran for 12 touchdowns his junior year and was named Second-Team All-SEC as a sophomore, despite splitting carries with Alex Collins.

The Bills selected Williams in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL draft. He spent his rookie season on the Bills’ active roster and carried the ball 27 times for 94 yards and a touchdown.

Williams is ineligible to play in the Broncos’ regular season games, but he will likely get the first look if one of Denver’s running backs misses significant time.