The Denver Broncos tipped their hand regarding the health of rookie Blake Cotton with their interest in Sam Webb and Ricardo Hallman.
Both Webb and Hallman are or were college free agents.
The Broncos have only been back at practice for two days, but they appear to already face making some adjustments that, while small on the surface, are a reminder of just what is at stake for every team even at this time of the NFL calendar.
Broncos Eye Sam Webb, Ricardo Hallman After Blake Cotton Injury
GettySam Webb made the most of his chance in front of Broncos brass.
“DBs Ricardo Hallman and Sam Webb had tryouts with Broncos,” The Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson reported on X on July 30, adding in a follow-up post, “Tryouts come after Broncos rookie CB Blake Cotton injured in practice Wednesday. He sat out Thursday workout.”
Cotton, like Hallman and Webb, was an undrafted free agent. The rookie out of Utah must now get healthy enough to continue trying to earn a spot on the Broncos’ 53-man roster.
Hallman is an unknown commodity as a rookie himself.
Webb, though, has spent time with the Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, and Las Vegas Raiders in his career. The 28-year-old has experience at corner and safety, versatility which could help him if coaches are looking for a separating factor.
Webb has played in 36 games in his career, starting five. He has 45 combined tackles, 4 pass deflections, 1 forced fumble, 1 recovery, and 1 fumble return touchdown to his credit.
Per Tomasson, Webb officially signed a short while later.
He joins a Broncos secondary led by 2024 Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain II at cornerback and including All-Pro Talanoa Hufanga at safety, as well as former first-round draft pick Jahdae Barron.
Sam Webb Gets Good News After Tryout
GettySam Webb is back in the AFC West with the Broncos.
Webb, who has also spent time with the Tennessee Titans in his career, could have a decent chance of sticking with the Broncos at least through training camp.
It will be up to him to capitalize on his opportunity.
For now, the Broncos can be happy they avoided having to make a corresponding roster move due to an injury to a starter. This is a team that has Super Bowl aspirations, and part of achieving that goal is avoiding and minimising setbacks.
That is fairly easy to do with backups. It becomes exponentially more complicated when it is one of the 22 top-line players on offense or defense.
Broncos Cut Ties With UDFA CB
GettyRookie Blake Cotton suffered an injury setback, leading to the end of his Broncos tenure.
The Broncos’ interest in Hallman and Webb, and their subsequent decision to add the latter, indeed indicated Cotton’s status.
Tomasson reported in yet another follow-up that the Broncos are waiving Cotton following an injury settlement. The rookie called the situation “tough,” noting he suffered a hamstring injury during the Broncos’ first practice.
If Cotton goes unclaimed, he will revert to the Broncos and go on one of the NFL’s injury lists.
From there, the Broncos can officially cut ties with Cotton. He would then be unable to re-sign with Denver for three weeks beyond whatever length they agreed to in his injury settlement. He can sign with any other team, though.
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