The Denver Broncos had a free space on their practice squad after the Detroit Lions recently raided it, taking Kwon Alexander for themselves.
On Tuesday, the Broncos chose to fill that spot with a player at the same position, bringing in free-agent linebacker K.J. Cloyd. Undrafted out of Miami, Cloyd initially signed with the Minnesota Vikings before they let him go and he latched on with the New York Giants. After a huge preseason performance against the New York Jets, he was estimated to have a good shot to make the Giants’ 53-man roster, but that did not happen.
He now lands in Denver, where he will join the practice squad. The Broncos have Cody Barton, Justin Strnad, Zach Cunningham and Levelle Bailey on the 53-man roster at the inside linebacker position, but it does raise a question about what will happen with Drew Sanders.
Injured during the team’s offseason program, Sanders has yet to see any action in his second year in the league. Though the Broncos could decide to use him as more of an outside linebacker, it is fair to wonder if he will play at all this season and perhaps the signing of Cloyd is just added depth for the team.
K.J. Cloyd played at Louisville, Miami in college
Cloyd played at two top college programs, beginning his career at Louisville before transferring to Miami. He had his best success in his lone season as a Hurricane and finished his college career with 84 tackles and two sacks.
It would be unlikely to see Cloyd do anything in Denver outside finishing the season on the practice squad and look for the team to sign him to a future contract following the season. The Broncos have had to scramble at the inside linebacker position this season following the injury suffered by Alex Singleton earlier in the year, but Strnad has played well and the team has used veterans like Alexander and Cunnigham to get by.
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