Denver Broncos outside linebacker Drew Sanders cleared waivers on Monday and reverted to the team’s season-ending injured reserve list, according to the NFL’s transaction wire. Unless he reaches a settlement with the club to be released from IR, Sanders will be ruled out for the 2026 campaign.
Sanders (6-5, 233 pounds) was picked by Denver in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft out of Arkansas. He dressed for all 17 games as a rookie before being sidelined for 13 games in 2014 after returning from a torn Achilles tendon. Sanders then missed all of the 2025 season while recovering from a foot injury.
If he does reach a settlement and is released, Sanders would become a free agent, making him eligible to join another club or return to the Broncos later this season. The 25-year-old defender totaled 32 tackles and one sack in 21 games in Denver from 2023-2024 before missing the 2025 campaign.
Broncos on season-ending IR
- C Michael Deiter (quad)
- DE Matt Henningsen (Achilles)
- LB Levelle Bailey (broken leg)
- OLB Drew Sanders (undisclosed)
Broncos on short-term IR
- OT Frank Crum
- TE Caleb Lohner
After Jonathon Cooper was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list, the Broncos have four outside linebackers (Nik Bonitto, Jonah Elliss, Que Robinson and Dondrea Tillman) remaining on the active roster.
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