Patriots Release DT Mike Purcell
Veteran defensive tackle Mike Purcell‘s stay in New England was a short one. After signing with the Patriots only three weeks ago, Purcell’s tenure with the team came to an end today as New England announced his release. 
Purcell began his NFL career as an undrafted free agent out of Wyoming, signing with the 49ers. While not appearing as a rookie and only playing two games in his sophomore campaign, Purcell earned a role in San Francisco, starting eight games over his final two years with the team.
Over the next two years he would shuffle around on different practice squads, eventually landing in the short-lived Alliance of American Football in 2019. Following his performance in the AAF, Purcell signed on with the Broncos. Originally a veteran, depth addition, Purcell ended up starting 37 games while appearing in 65 of a potential 67 contests.
His short reunion with the Patriots, who were one of the several teams who hosted him on their practice squad, was only slightly long than his first stint with the team. He was signed to help make up for the lost production of Christian Barmore as he dealt with his blood clots diagnosis. According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Purcell was running behind Davon Godchaux, Jeremiah Pharms, Daniel Ekuale, and Trysten Hill this preseason.
With Purcell off the roster, New England is more likely to test some of the youthful depth pieces on the roster like Armon Watts or Josiah Bronson. Purcell, on the other hand, will be back on the free agent market. At 32 years old, he may be running out of opportunities to remain in the NFL.
Patriots Sign DT Mike Purcell
In need of depth along the defensive interior following Christian Barmore‘s blood clots diagnosis, the Patriots have brought in Mike Purcell. The veteran agreed to a deal on Thursday, per an announcement from his agency.
Purcell is a veteran of eight seasons, with his past five campaigns coming in Denver. The 33-year-old did not survive roster cuts last year, but he was immediately retained and wound up remaining a key member of the Broncos’ D-line. Purcell started 10 of his 16 appearances in 2023, logging a defensive snap share of 44% and recording 25 tackles.
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The Broncos, who are now down to just five John Elway-era cogs remaining, took a flier on a player who had bounced out of the league — and into the short-lived Alliance of American Football — back in 2019. The veteran nose tackle provided a steady presence in Denver and started for the team’s three coaching staffs in that span.
Overall, Purcell started 37 games with the Broncos, a period that saw the team authorize a three-year, $14.8MM extension, and made an impact as a run defender. Pro Football Focus viewed Purcell’s 2021 and ’22 seasons favorably, respectively slotting him 39th and 42nd among interior D-linemen, but ranked him 106th at the position last season. While rumors about another Broncos-Purcell pact emerged earlier this offseason, he will relocate to New England after the concerning Barmore development.
Originally a 2013 49ers UDFA, Purcell stopped through six NFL cities before sticking around in Denver. This is actually a reunion for Purcell, who was with the Patriots in October and November of 2017. The 328-pound defender did not see any game action with that season’s AFC champion and finished the season with the Chiefs. The former Wyoming standout has also enjoyed short stints with the Bears, Rams and Panthers (and the AAF’s Salt Lake Stallions).
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
Broncos Move CB K’Waun Williams To IR; CB Fabian Moreau, DT Mike Purcell Re-Sign
Three Broncos are moving to IR. While it remains to be seen how the team will use its eight allotted activations this season, three options became available Thursday.
Cornerback K’Waun Williams, safety P.J. Locke and tackle Alex Palczewski landed on IR. Each must miss at least four games. To replace them on the 53-man roster, Denver brought back longtime nose tackle Mike Purcell, cornerback Fabian Moreau and tackle Quinn Bailey. Each was on the radar to return, and the Broncos are not deviating from their cutdown-day play.
Purcell agreed to be released to help the Broncos manage their roster. He has joined several veterans in yo-yoing off and then back onto an active roster this week. A regular Broncos contributor since he made the jump from the Alliance of American Football to the NFL in 2019, Purcell was also released and then re-signed ahead of last season. Purcell, 32, will again be expected to be a regular on Denver’s defensive line.
An ankle injury, which will require surgery, will lead to Williams’ IR placement. The longtime 49ers slot corner is going into the second season of a two-year, $5.2MM Broncos deal. Essang Bassey, who intercepted three passes during the preseason, may well be called upon to line up alongside Patrick Surtain and Damarri Mathis in nickel sets to start the season.
Moreau, however, will supply depth for the AFC West team. Moreau spent last season with the Giants, coming over after the Texans released him after the preseason. The Broncos signed the former Washington third-round pick earlier this month.
Bailey has been with the Broncos since 2019, working as a backup. Denver’s injury troubles at tackle last season led to Bailey starting his first career game. The team has Cameron Fleming in place as its swing tackle — behind starters Garett Bolles and Mike McGlinchey — but Bailey is back on the roster to provide additional depth.
Broncos Place Baron Browning On Reserve/PUP List, Trim Roster To 53
The Broncos will join other teams in using short-term IR to create roster spots for veterans they cut Tuesday. The team also needed to use its reserve/PUP list. Here is how Denver moved down to the 53-man limit:
Released:
- T Quinn Bailey
- C Kyle Fuller
- WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
- CB Fabian Moreau
- NT Mike Purcell
- RB Dwayne Washington
Waived:
- RB Tyler Badie
- WR Michael Bandy
- ILB Seth Benson
- G Henry Byrd
- WR Marquez Callaway
- QB Ben DiNucci
- CB Art Green
- WR Taylor Grimes
- WR Josh Hammond
- OLB Marcus Haynes
- CB Faion Hicks
- TE Tommy Hudson
- DE Jordan Jackson
- T Demontrey Jacobs
- RB Tony Jones Jr.
- CB Devon Key
- DT Tomasi Laulile
- DT PJ Mustipher
- DT Haggai Chisom Ndubusi
- OLB Aaron Patrick
- G William Sherman
- WR Montrell Washington
Waived/injured:
- OLB Chris Allen
Placed on reserve/PUP list:
- OLB Baron Browning
Browning suffered a meniscus injury this offseason and underwent surgery in June. This obviously deals a blow to Browning’s development, seeing as the converted off-ball linebacker has yet to play a full season at his second NFL position, and Denver’s edge depth. Randy Gregory and Frank Clark lead the way at the position; both are going into their age-30 seasons. The Broncos have seen Gregory, Von Miller and Bradley Chubb miss substantial time in recent years. They will hope Browning, who showed promise opposite Chubb at points last year, can return when eligible.
The Broncos did not place Jerry Jeudy on IR, keeping their No. 1 receiver available once his hamstring heals. This points to the team viewing Jeudy as likely to come back during the season’s first four weeks. Jeudy suffered a hamstring injury late last week; the malady is expected to sideline him for “several weeks.” The team is expected to re-sign Humphrey once it reorganizes its roster, 9News’ Mike Klis notes.
Although Purcell joined Humphrey as a cut, Klis adds the veteran nose tackle is set to come back. Ditto Moreau, as K’Waun Williams is set to head to IR — a designation that will cost the veteran slot cornerback at least four games — upon undergoing ankle surgery. The Broncos kept UDFAs Elijah Garcia, a defensive lineman, and Jaleel McLaughlin, a running back, after strong preseason outings. McLaughlin is the NCAA all-levels rushing kingpin, having amassed 8,161 yards while at Notre Dame College and Youngstown State — Division II and Division I-FCS programs, respectively, in Ohio. He will be the team’s third-string running back — behind Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/23/23
Today’s minor NFL transactions from around the league:
Arizona Cardinals
- Reverted to IR: OL Lachavious Simmons
Cleveland Browns
- Waived: CB Chris Westry
Denver Broncos
- Signed: DT Tomasi Laulile
- Activated from NFI: NT Mike Purcell
- Waived: LS Jack Landherr IV
Detroit Lions
- Waived from IR with injury settlement: CB Saivion Smith
Green Bay Packers
- Reverted to IR: OL Jake Hanson
Houston Texans
- Signed: S Darius Joiner
- Waived/injured: S Tyree Gillespie
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: DT Doug Costin, LB Isaac Darkangelo
Los Angeles Chargers
- Waived from IR with injury settlement: CB Kemon Hall
New England Patriots
- Reverted to IR: WR Tre Nixon
- Waived with failed physical: DT Marquan McCall
New York Giants
- Waived from IR with injury settlement: LB Troy Brown
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: WR Freddie Swain
- Released: G Fred Johnson
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: DE Jordan Ferguson
- Waived: RB Bryant Koback
Washington Commanders
- Released: P Michael Palardy
Free Agents
- Suspended three games: WR Travis Jonsen, CB Mazzi Wilkins
The Broncos get an important piece back today in Purcell. The veteran defensive tackle found a strong role last year on in the Denver rotation. After passing his physical today, Purcell may be able to get his sea legs back in the team’s last preseason game, but they may choose to rest him following his return from a minor knee injury.
It’s bit of a surprise to see Johnson get cut loose in Philadelphia. The 26-year-old lineman had recently been promoted to second-team left tackle. With the Eagles’ preseason finale tomorrow, he was likely set to get a strong share of snaps. Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer believes the team could bring back soon, only cutting him temporarily to fix something to do with his paperwork.
Broncos RB Javonte Williams Avoids PUP To Start Camp
JULY 27: Williams confirmed (via 9News’ Mike Klis) Thursday he has been cleared for contact work. The North Carolina alum said he was told his recovery timetable could last around a year. Instead, he has been cleared before the 10-month mark. Sean Payton said the team will proceed cautiously with Williams, who has two years remaining on his rookie contract.
JULY 23: The Broncos delivered some good news as they announced some injury list placements today, leaving third-year running back Javonte Williams off of any lists as he continues to work his way back from last year’s season-ending injury. While there’s still work to be done, Williams’s continued participation in this offseason points to a Week 1 return for Denver’s lead back. 
Williams suffered a blow to his sophomore season when he suffered a torn ACL after only four weeks of play last year, ending his season. The initial diagnosis was dire enough, but further reports detailed that Williams had also torn his LCL and posterior lateral corner, making his road to recovery a bit longer.
As Denver entered into the offseason, the goal became clear: get Williams back in time for training camp. Things were looking positive as Williams was on the field for spring activities. He only worked out in a limited capacity, but getting Williams on the field at all that early was a big step. Earlier this month, Williams expressed much of the same optimism that his team had been expressing publicly, believing himself that he’d be able to make a return by training camp. His absence from any designated injury lists today is yet another good sign of where he’s at in his recovery.
Williams injury had originally occurred during a season in which he was expected to take on much more work after splitting carries with Melvin Gordon as a rookie. When he returns this season, though, there won’t be too big of an expectation to work as a bell-cow in the Broncos offense. New head coach Sean Payton is certainly familiar with two-headed rushing attacks dating back to the Pierre Thomas–Reggie Bush duo and the Alvin Kamara–Mark Ingram combinations in New Orleans. While Gordon is now in Baltimore and Mike Boone found his way to Houston, Denver plans to pair Williams with former Bengals rusher Samaje Perine, who signed with the team in March. Perine has a history of being a strong RB2 over his career, which should take a bit of the pressure off of Williams’s shoulders.
While Williams’s absence from any lists is the main news, the Broncos did move four players from the active roster, according to Broncos lead writer Aric DiLalla. Outside linebacker Baron Browning and wide receiver Kendall Hinton were placed on the physically unable to perform list, while wide receiver K.J. Hamler and nose tackle Mike Purcell were placed on the non-football injury list.
Browning underwent knee surgery in June, but he hasn’t yet been ruled out from returning in time for the regular season. Hinton also went through a knee procedure, so his placement on the list is no surprise. Hamler was expected to be ready in time for training camp as he works his way back from a pectoral tear, but Denver will have to wait a little longer.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/1/22
Teams continue to tinker with their rosters after hundreds of players were cut earlier this week. We’ve tracked all of today’s minor moves below:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: TE Stephen Anderson, LS Aaron Brewer, CB Mike Ford, G Colby Gossett, LB Nick Kwiatkoski, S Dean Marlowe
- Placed on IR: S Charles Washington, WR Antoine Wesley
- Waived from IR: OL Greg Long
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: DT Abdullah Anderson,
- Placed on IR: DL Marlon Davidson, TE John Fitzpatrick, LB Deion Jones, OL Jalen Mayfield, CB Isaiah Oliver
Baltimore Ravens
- Waived from IR: DT Aaron Crawford
Chicago Bears
- Claimed off waivers (from Vikings): WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette
- Placed on IR: WR N’Keal Harry
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: WR Mike Thomas
- Placed on IR: DE Khalid Kareem
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: DB C.J. Goodwin, LS Jake McQuaide
- Placed on IR: OT Tyron Smith, WR James Washington
Denver Broncos
- Signed: CB Darius Phillips, DT Mike Purcell, TE Eric Tomlinson
- Released: DB Essang Bassey
- Placed on IR: TE Greg Dulcich, CB Michael Ojemudia
- Released from IR: CB Donnie Lewis
Green Bay Packers
- Released from IR: WR Danny Davis
Indianapolis Colts
- Placed on IR: LB Trevor Denbow
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Claimed off waivers (from Bears): LB Caleb Johnson
- Released: DL Adam Gotsis
- Reverted to IR: K Jake Verity
Los Angeles Rams
- Placed on IR: LB Daniel Hardy
Miami Dolphins
- Placed on IR: S Clayton Fejedelem
- Released from IR: CB Mackensie Alexander, DB D’Angelo Ross
New England Patriots
- Placed on IR: WR Tyquan Thornton
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: RB Dwayne Washington
- Placed on IR: OT Trevor Penning, DL Malcolm Roach
New York Giants
- Signed: LB Austin Calitro, TE Tanner Hudson, DL Nick Williams
- Claimed off waivers (from Ravens): G Tyre Phillips
- Placed on IR: OL Shane Lemieux, DE Elerson Smith, CB Rodarius Williams
- Released from IR: TE Dre Miller, TE Ricky Seals-Jones
New York Jets
- Signed: S Marcell Harris
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Claimed off waivers (from Jaguars): LB Jamir Jones
- Released: LB Derrek Tuszka
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: TE Tyler Kroft, DE Jordan Willis
- Placed on IR: LB Curtis Robinson, S Jimmie Ward
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: CB Justin Coleman
- Placed on IR: DL LJ Collier
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Placed on IR: C Ryan Jensen
- Waived/injured: WR Cyril Grayson Jr.
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: WR Cody Hollister
- Placed on IR: WR Racey McMath
Wednesday NFL Transactions: AFC West
Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs and Raiders moves are noted below.
Here are Wednesday’s AFC West transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day.
Denver Broncos
Re-signed:
- NT Mike Purcell, TE Eric Tomlinson
Signed to practice squad:
- DL McTelvin Agim, OL Quinn Bailey, CB Faion Hicks, WR Kendall Hinton, QB Josh Johnson, OLB Jonathan Kongbo, LB Kana’i Mauga, CB Ja’Quan McMillian, G Netane Muti, RB Devine Ozigbo, TE Dylan Parham, WR Darrius Shepherd
Kansas City Chiefs
Signed to practice squad:
- DB Zayne Anderson, G Mike Caliendo, LB Jack Cochrane, RB Jerrion Ealy, WR Daurice Fountain, TE Jordan Franks, S Nazeeh Johnson, DE Azur Kamara, LB Elijah Lee, QB Chris Oladokun, WR Cornell Powell, C Austin Reiter, DT Danny Shelton, DT Taylor Stallworth
Las Vegas Raiders
Released from IR:
Signed to practice squad:
- LB Curtis Bolton, CB Isiah Brown, CB Bryce Cosby, S Matthias Farley, TE Cole Fotheringham, QB Chase Garbers, C Hroniss Grasu, G Jordan Meredith, OT Bamidele Olaseni, WR Dillon Stoner, DE Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa, DE Zach VanValkenburg, RB Austin Walter, WR Isaiah Zuber
Los Angeles Chargers
Signed:
- RB Sony Michel (story)
Waived:
Signed to practice squad:
- T Zack Bailey, WR Michael Bandy, DL Christian Covington, DL Joe Gaziano, CB Kemon Hall, CB Michael Jacquet, TE Hunter Kampoyer, OLB Carlo Kemp, S Raheem Layne, LB Tyreek Maddox-Williams, WR Jason Moore Jr., WR Joe Reed, T Foster Sarell, DB Mark Webb Jr.
Broncos To Place TE Greg Dulcich, CB Michael Ojemudia On IR
Two Russell Wilson auxiliary weapons will not be available to start the season. While Tim Patrick will be down throughout 2022 after tearing an ACL early in training camp, George Paton confirmed Tuesday (via Denver7’s Troy Renck, on Twitter) rookie tight end Greg Dulcich will begin his season on IR.
The placements of Dulcich and cornerback Michael Ojemudia on short-term IR — which will sideline each for the season’s first four games — will allow the Broncos to bring back nose tackle Mike Purcell and tight end Eric Tomlinson, according to the second-year Denver GM. Both veterans were included among the Broncos’ cuts Tuesday.
A hamstring injury dogged Dulcich for most of training camp. The UCLA product suffered a setback early in camp and did not play in the Broncos’ preseason games. The team made Dulcich a key part of its 2022 draft, adding him with its second pick this year. With Albert Okwuegbunam going into a contract year, Dulcich could profile as the Broncos’ tight end of the future. But the team has not seen much from the Day 2 investment yet.
Ojemudia suffered a dislocated elbow in the Broncos’ second preseason game. This injury followed Jonas Griffith‘s elbow dislocation in the team’s preseason opener. Griffith is not slated to go on IR and could be ready for Week 1. For Ojemudia, this marks more of the same. The 2020 third-round pick missed most of last season with a hamstring injury. He was vying for the team’s top outside backup cornerback job behind starters Pat Surtain II and Ronald Darby.
A former Alliance of American Football cog, Purcell has been with the Broncos since 2019. The veteran nose tackle has started 23 games in that span, though injuries have intervened over the past two years. Purcell, 31, had signed a three-year, $14.8MM extension in 2020 but saw the Broncos bring in a high-priced replacement in D.J. Jones this offseason. A blocking tight end, Tomlinson spent much of the past two seasons with the Ravens. He joined Dulcich as the Broncos’ tight end newcomers this year.
Broncos Pare Roster Down To 53
After trading Malik Reed to the Steelers, the Broncos finished off their moves to reach the NFL’s 53-man roster max Tuesday. Here is how the team reached that number:
Released:
- QB Josh Johnson (story)
- DT Mike Purcell
- TE Eric Tomlinson
Waived:
- DL McTelvin Agim
- T Quinn Bailey
- DL Jonathan Harris
- CB Faion Hicks
- WR Kendall Hinton
- G Zack Johnson
- OLB Jonathan Kongbo
- ILB Kana’i Mauga
- CB Ja’Quan McMillian
- G Netane Muti
- G Michael Niese
- RB Devine Ozigbo
- TE Dylan Parham
- S J.R. Reed
- WR Darrius Shepherd
- WR Seth Williams
Placed on IR:
Some John Elway-era defensive lineman have been swapped out for George Paton acquisitions. Purcell, a three-season Broncos starter whom the team extended in 2020, is the most notable. But former third-round pick Agim joins the former Alliance of American Football success story in being moved off Denver’s roster. Agim heads to waivers; Purcell is a vested veteran.
After helping Denver stabilize its run defense upon arrival in 2019, Purcell missed half the 2020 season due to injury and missed time in 2021 as well. The Broncos added D.J. Jones in free agency and drafted two D-linemen — Eyioma Uwazurike (Round 4) and Matt Henningsen (Round 6) — this year.
Muti was seeing first-string action this offseason but was the underdog to beat out Quinn Meinerz at right guard. The former Fresno State-developed sixth-rounder also underwent arthroscopic knee surgery recently. Hinton, whom the Broncos turned to upon losing all their QBs to the reserve/COVID-19 list against the Saints in 2020, contributed as a receiver last season. The Broncos kept rookie UDFA wideout Jalen Virgil over Hinton. He could be back in Denver via the practice squad. The Broncos signed Tomlinson this offseason but also brought back Eric Saubert. The team drafted Greg Dulcich in the third round as well. Those two join Albert Okwuegbunam and Andrew Beck on the team’s 53-man roster.