ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Broncos decided to stick with the kids.
And by football standards, Josh Reynolds is no kid.
In a mild surprise, the Broncos waived the veteran Reynolds on Tuesday. Reynolds, 29, suffered a fractured finger in the Broncos' week 5 win October 6 against the Las Vegas Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High. Reynolds finished the scoring in that game with a 9-yard touchdown catch from Bo Nix. It was later revealed Reynolds suffered a fractured finger and was placed on four-week injured reserve.
However, less than two weeks later, Reynolds and two companions left Shotgun Willie's, a Glendale strip club, about 2 a.m. Friday, Oct. 18 and were followed in Reynolds' Ford Bronco by at least three vehicles.
Someone in one of those vehicles began firing. Reynolds and his companions were all injured, either by gunshots or flying glass. Reynolds received minor injuries to the back of his head and left arm.
Luis Mendoza, 35, and Burr Charlesworth, 42 were later arrested on multiple charges, including six counts each of attempted murder.
Reynolds has been recovered from his fractured finger but the team kept him on IR for an additional four weeks. While he was sidelined, two rookie receivers, Devaughn Vele and Troy Franklin, have each developed into complementary weapons for the Bo Nix-led offense.
Head coach Sean Payton has also liked the overall blocking and catch game of veteran receiver Lil'Jordan Humphrey. There is also No. 1 receiver Courtland Sutton and versatile speed threat Marvin Mims Jr., a second-year player.
The deadline to activate Reynolds on the 53-man roster was Wednesday but doing so would have meant cutting another player.
So after signing with the Broncos in late March as a free agent on a two-year, $9 million contract to become the team's No. 2 receiver, Reynolds became expendable. He received $4.31 million from the Broncos and in return he had 12 catches for 183 yards and the lone touchdown. None of the $4.5 million scheduled for next year was guaranteed so the Broncos had no more financial obligation past what they already owe.
Because of his contract, he is expected to clear waivers Wednesday but it would not be surprising if he then draw interest from other playoff-contending teams who would be willing to sign for the prorated portion of the vet minimum salary.
