Broncos promote CB Taurean Nixon; release TE John Phillips

According to Mike Klis, Denver has promoted cornerback Taurean Nixon from the practice squad and subsequently released tight end John Phillips.

With Aqib Talib out and Kayvon Webster still nursing a hamstring injury, Denver was down to three cornerbacks, so this move provides some needed depth.

Nixon was drafted one slot after Trevor Siemian in 2015 and has been promoted to the active roster once before - last year during the playoffs.

This move also signals the coaches’ faith in newly acquired tight end AJ Derby, who becomes the team’s third-string TE with Phillips gone.