Mike

Purcell

The Pats added Purcell as a depth option at the start of camp. They are now getting ahead of the cutdown deadline, starting with Purcell’s release. The veteran defensive lineman appeared in 16 games for the Broncos last year. He logged three pass breakups, five QB hits, and one TFL. Purcell should be able to land on another team after rosters are settled.

Purcell has spent the last five seasons with the Broncos, starting in 37 of the 65 games he appeared in over that span. The veteran lineman is set to enter his ninth season as a pro and is coming off a year in which he totaled 25 tackles and one TFL. He’ll likely serve as added depth along a Patriots line that includes Davon Godchaux and Christian Barmore.

Simmons was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday. He was then downgraded to a DNP on Friday, making it unlikely he will be able to suit up on Sunday. The Broncos defense has arguably been the worst in the league this year and is set to be without one of their top play-makers for Week 4. It’s now or never for Justin Fields. Denver ruled out Mike Purcell, Josey Jewell, and Frank Clark.

Purcell was set to earn $3.5 million in salary and per-game roster bonuses, according to 9News’ Mike Klis. Now, he’ll earn $2.25 million with an additional $1.25 million available in playtime incentives, which starts at 25 percent of snaps. Purcell totaled 45 tackles and 1.5 sacks for the Broncos last season and has appeared in 13 or more games in three of the last four seasons.

Denver also added outside linebacker Andre Mintze to the list. Purcell is a rotational run-stuffer with one TFL on the year. Mintze, a rookie from Vanderbilt, primarily plays on special teams.

Purcell is the third starter in Denver’s front-seven to (soon) be moved to season-ending injured reserve this year, joining Von Miller and Jurrell Casey on the pine. The 29-year-old fortunately inked a three-year, $14.8 million extension at the beginning of October, likely guaranteeing $2.75 million in salary and roster bonus next season despite injury. He’ll be replaced by reserve NT DeShawn Williams barring a surprising move at next week’s trade deadline.

A quick rule out with a foot issue is never a good sign. Purcell has been an important presence on the Broncos’ interior since he was claimed off waivers by GM John Elway in 2019. He just signed an extension 19 days ago.

The deal includes $6.8 million guaranteed. Purcell, who was cut 10 times by six different teams before he was claimed off waivers by GM John Elway and the Broncos, is now signed through the 2023 season. The 29-year-old made 13 appearances with Denver last year, finishing as PFF’s highest-graded interior defender against the run among 121 qualifiers, and has already notched 13 tackles and a sack across four starts in 2020. It’s a comeback story for the ages.

Purcell played 13 games for the Broncos in 2019 after spending 2014-2016 with the 49ers. Purcell performed more than admirably, racking up 48 tackles and eight tackles for a loss. Overall, PFF graded him as the league’s single-best interior defender against the run among 121 qualified players.

It’s worth $3.259 million. Claimed off the scrap heap last year, Purcell ended up performing as one of the league’s best run defenders. Although he is already one month shy of his 29th birthday, Purcell should actually be a candidate for a multi-year deal this offseason.