The Denver Broncos released cornerback Levi Wallace on Tuesday to promote running back Blake Watson from the practice squad to the active roster.
Wallace appeared in Denver’s first 13 games this season, starting two, including a 41-32 win over the Cleveland Browns on Dec. 2. Filling in for injured cornerback Riley Moss, Wallace struggled against Browns quarterback Jameis Winston.
In the following two games, Wallace was a healthy scratch as Denver opted to use younger players, like rookie Kris Abrams-Draine from Spanish Fort High School, to replace Moss.
“It’s always a tough decision,” said Broncos coach Sean Payton about waiving Wallace. “We’re hopeful that we can bring him back (on the practice squad). It’s about protecting the roster at certain spots. With how Kris Abrams-Draine and some others have performed, and keeping young players like Blake Watson as others might look to sign practice-squad players – this time of year, teams out of contention are thinking long-term. It’s tough.”
“It’s roster management, but it’s challenging,” Payton added.
Wallace joined the Broncos as a free agent on April 22. He played 307 defensive snaps and 49 special-teams snaps this season.
With 72 regular-season starts and five playoff games in his career, Wallace went undrafted after completing his college career with Alabama’s 2017 CFP national-championship team.
In 2022, Wallace signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers after starting all 57 games he played with the Buffalo Bills, having spent his rookie season’s first nine games on the practice squad.
In 2023, Wallace appeared in 16 games, starting nine. He began the season as a Steelers starter, but as second-round rookie Joey Porter Jr. earned more playing time, Wallace’s role diminished. He returned to a regular spot in the lineup when injuries affected the secondary late in the year.
Wallace has intercepted 12 passes in his NFL career but has yet to pick one off this season.
Leave a Reply