The Denver Broncos swapped players on the practice squad Friday.
The Broncos signed inside linebacker Ben Niemann, who had a free agent with the team on Thursday. To make room for Niemann on the 17-player practice squad, Denver wide receiver Michael Bandy.
The Broncos still only have four receivers on the 53-man roster and the team now has just three WRs remaining on the practice squad in Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Phillip Dorsett and David Sills.
Before adding Niemann, Denver was also thin at inside linebacker with just four on the active roster and none on the practice squad. Niemann will be eligible to be elevated from the practice squad three times during the season, so it’s possible that he might even be viewed as the fourth-string ILB above special teams contributor Justin Strnad.
The Broncos’ starting ILBs are Josey Jewell and Alex Singleton, and the just used a third-round draft pick in April to add Drew Sanders.
Niemann, who played under Denver defensive coordinator Vance Joseph in 2022, now gives the team more depth at ILB. He has recorded 237 tackles in 79 career games (21 starts), including 17 games in Arizona last year.