Go to the mobile version of this Web site.

Login | Contact Us | Site Map | Paid archives | Electronic edition | Subscription Questions | Extras

Broncos shuffle roster

Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News

Published September 8, 2007 at midnight

Text size  

More Denver Broncos

More stories »

BUFFALO -- The Broncos signed tackle Chad Mustard to their active roster Saturday and released veteran Adam Meadows, who had just returned to practice this past week after dealing with a calf injury.

Mustard, who played at tight end this past season and started this year's training camp there as well, was switched back to tackle when the Broncos were in Dallas last month because of the injury to Meadows. Mustard had recently been released by the Broncos when rosters were cut down for the season.

Meadows had returned to practice this past week, but still appeared to be struggling with the calf injury.

Reached Saturday night Meadows said he didn't want to comment. Broncos coach Mike Shanahan could not be reached for comment.

Meadows signed with the Broncos in August of 2006, ending two years away from football because of right shoulder troubles. At the time he had signed a three-year deal — it was scheduled to run through the '08 season — that included a $400,000 signing bonus.

Meadows was scheduled to make roughly $1 million this season and as a vested veteran his salary would have been guaranteed if he was on the Broncos roster for Sunday's game in Buffalo. The Broncos could re-sign him as early as the coming week if they wanted to bring him back on a one-year contract that was not guaranteed and pro-rated for the remainder of the season.

Meadows started three games last season for the Broncos and had taken over the right tackle spot in place of George Foster, but he suffered a hamstring injury against Kansas City Thanksgiving night and never re-gained his starting spot.

He was playing behind Erik Pears this year at right tackle when he suffered a calf injury in combined workouts with the Dallas Cowboys last month.

Meadows had started 96 games for the Indianapolis Colts before signing with the Carolina Panthers in 2004. However, he retired before the start of the '04 season because of shoulder pain, returning his signing bonus to the Panthers.

He was re-instated by the NFL last year and the Panthers allowed him to become a free agent because he had returned his bonus. When the Broncos signed him the Packers and Saints had also expressed interest.

legwoldj@rockymountainnews.com or 303-892-2359.