Walton & Kuper to the PUP

The Denver Broncos have placed center J.D. Walton and guard Chris Kuper on the physically unable to perform list (PUP) this preseason as of Wednesday.

By rule players placed on a teams preseason PUP list can return to action at any point during the season after one practice. A player cannot be placed on the preseason PUP list after taking place in one practice. The only caveat is that the player must be placed on the 53 man roster by Week Seven.

So, essentially, Kuper and Walton have been red shirted.

What it also means is that either player may return at any point during the season with only one play in a practice.

Smart move, but there are concerns.

One is that Kuper is due $5.415 million, making him the fifth highest paid player on the Broncos (just below Von Miller and ahead of Wes Welker). Where the problem lies is in the fact that cutting Kuper would cost $2.745 in dead money.

Walton is in his final season under contract and due $1.522 million this year.

Neither player is breaking the bank and Kuper was not expected to start-- even fully healthy, over Zane Beadles or freshly signed Louis Vasquez. However, either player is capable of being hurt and Kuper could be expected to immediately step up.