Broncos trim roster to 53 with a few surprises

There was room for three quarterbacks, including Caleb Hanie, and veterans such as linebacker Keith Brooking and safety Jim Leonhard.

There was one surprise among the Broncos’ cuts Friday as veteran cornerback Drayton Florence was released.

Florence was beat out by second-year corner Chris Harris for the nickel back position. Florence’s release could also mean good news for Tony Carter, a cornerback who played well in the preseason.

Also waived off the Broncos’ roster: quarterback Adam Weber;, defensive end Jamie Blatnick; safety Rafael Bush; linebacker Jerry Franklin; defensive tackle Ben Garland; offensive tackle Ryan Harris; guard Tony Hills; strong safety Duke Ihenacho; middle linebacker Mike Mohamed; cornerbck Syd’Quan Thompson; defensive tackle Sealver Siliga; receivers Greg Orton, Jason Hill and Gerell Robinson; tight end Cornelius Ingram; and guard Wayne Tribue.

The Broncos also placed defensive end Jeremy Beal on season-ending injured reserve and placed tight end Virgil Green and linebacker D.J. Williams on suspended reserve. Green will serve a four-game suspension; Williams six for violating the league’s performance-enhancement policy.