Broncos roster cuts: The Denver Broncos have waived safety Duke Ihenacho

According to the Denver Post's Mike Klis, the Denver Broncos have waived safety Duke Ihenacho, and rookie linebacker Shaquil Barrett.

Earlier, the Broncos released another starter from the 2013 defense, DT Kevin Vickerson.

#Broncos waive SS Duke Ihenacho; rookie LB Shaq Barrett. Ihenacho a 17-game starter last yr. Beat out by T.J. Ward/Quinton Carter this year.

— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) August 30, 2014

Safety Duke Ihenacho was the darling of the Broncos training camp last season. He came out of nowhere to become the Broncos week one starting strong safety after his solid play during the preseason and Training Camp. Iheancho went on to start 17 games for the Denver Broncos in 2013, but everything changed this past offseason.

The Broncos went out and improved on the strong safety position by signing free agent strong safety T.J Ward to a free agent deal, and former forth round pick Quinton Carter finally got healthy. These two players started the offseason ahead of Ihenacho and he never surpassed them.

Duke Ihenacho totaled 73 tackles, 6 pass deflections and three forced fumbles in 2013, and also contributed on special teams.

I thought Ihenacho would stay on the team as their fifth safety and main backup to T.J Ward, but it appears that the team has decided to move on from the young safety. I would expect the Broncos to explore adding a veteran safety or claiming one on the waiver wire before next sunday's game. We shall see though.

The Broncos also waived rookie linebacker Shaquil Barrett. The rookie linebacker had a solid preseason, but there wasn't any room for the rookie pass rusher. I would expect Barrett to be on the Broncos ten man practice squad if he clears waivers.

Go Broncos!