Broncos reduce roster to 75 with release of Putzier, 3 others

Veteran tight end Jeb Putzier among 4 released

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Veteran tight end Jeb Putzier was among four players released Tuesday by the Denver Broncos, reducing their roster to the 75-player limit.

Also waived was rookie punter Britton Colquitt, who was edged out for the job by holdover punter Brett Kern.

Center Blake Schlueter, a seventh-round pick out of Texas Christian, and third-year wide receiver C.J. Jones also were released.

Meanwhile, the Broncos retook the practice field without quarterback Kyle Orton, who suffered a finger injury in Sunday’s 27-17 exhibition loss to Chicago.

Backup Chris Simms also has been sidelined by a high left ankle sprain, leaving rookie Tom Brandstater and journeyman Ingle Martin as the only healthy quarterbacks on the team’s roster. Neither Brandstater nor Martin have had a meaningful snap in an NFL regular season game.