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The Denver Broncos had their first player opt out of the 2020 season over the coronavirus pandemic. Fifth-year defensive end Kyle Peko has decided to stay home this season rather than risk a COVID-19 infection.
#Broncos veteran DT Kyle Peko informed the team that he is opting out due to the Coronavirus pandemic, source said. He would have provided depth in Denver.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 28, 2020
Peko, 27, came to Denver in 2016 as an undrafted free agent ans has spent time with three teams before returning to the Broncos practice squad last December. He spent time away from training camp last season to be with his wife who is battling cancer. She was cancer free by September, but anyone who has help a loved one fighting cancer knows that the risk of infection is always greater. That would make his decision here a smart one.
Players who opt out of this season fall into one of two categories. The first is over medical necessity, which they will receive a $350,000 stipend and the other is by choice for a $150,000 stipend. Their contracts would get pushed out to next year and that money will be taken from that pool. It is uncertain which category Peko will fall under.
With the Broncos roster standing now at 81, there could be another player choosing to opt out of the 2020 season that we don’t know about yet. If not, the team will have to make one more roster move to reach the 80 player mark.