Broncos make multiple roster moves

Isaiah McKenzie’s up-and-down sophomore season took another turn on Friday when he was waived for the third time in two months.

The Broncos released McKenzie and signed wide receiver River Cracraft from their practice squad. The team also plans to activate safety Su’a Cravens from the injured reserve list prior to Sunday’s contest with the Texans. The moves fill the final spot on the Broncos’ active roster, which was left open when Demaryius Thomas was traded earlier this week.

According to the Broncos’ injury report, the team will be without safety Darian Stewart and cornerback Bradley Roby this weekend, leaving their secondary depleted. Cravens figures to be a significant part of the Broncos’ gameplan, and head coach Vance Joseph said Friday that he won’t be on a snap count. Cravens injured his knee just before the season started and landed on injured reserve. He sat out all last season as he contemplated retirement due to personal issues. Assuming he plays Sunday, it will be his first regular-season NFL appearance since 2016. The Broncos acquired the 2016 second-round pick from Washington in a trade this offseason.

Cracraft was one of the darlings of Broncos training camp but was blocked from the 53-man roster by a host of experienced and high-upside receivers. Now that Demaryius Thomas is in Houston and DaeSean Hamilton is rehabbing a knee injury, Cracraft has a path to playing time. As of right now, the Broncos only have four healthy receivers on their active roster, so Cracraft should be active on Sunday and may see some playing time. The 23-year-old slot receiver is a Washington State alum who signed with the Broncos’ practice squad last November. He caught six passes for 26 yards this preseason.

Veteran wide receiver Jordan Taylor is still rehabbing an offseason hip injury that landed him on the Physically Unable to Perform list. The Broncos have until Monday to activate him, though it’s unknown whether he is healthy enough to warrant a spot on the roster.

McKenzie, the Broncos’ sixth-round pick in 2017, has had trouble proving himself worthy of a full-time roster spot. He was the starting punt returner in his rookie season, but fumbled seven times and lost the job. He’s bounced between Denver’s active roster and practice squad this season and has totaled two punt returns for 13 yards. Both came last weekend against the Chiefs. He left the game early due to a hip injury, but it was not reported to be serious.