Corey Nelson

Nelson appeared in just seven contests in 2019, notching 10 tackles (four solo), before suffering a season-ending torn bicep. Now set to become an unrestricted free agent in March, he'll focus his attention on making a full recovery before looking to earn a reserve role elsewhere in the league.

Nelson suffered a torn bicep during Week 8's loss to the Colts, the second such injury of his career. He underwent surgery to address the issue Wednesday, and he'll now turn his full attention towards recovering in time for the 2020 season. Across seven games this season, Nelson notched 10 tackles (four solo) and played 95 snaps on special teams.

This is the second time Nelson has suffered a torn bicep in his career, as he injured his other arm in 2017, and was forced to miss the second half of the season. Per Jhabvala, Nelson is scheduled to have surgery Wednesday, effectively ending his season. Josey Jewell and Joseph Jones are the only healthy depth linebackers left on the roster currently.

Nelson was drafted by the Broncos out of Oklahoma in 2014 and was a core special-teams contributor, but he left in free agency with the hope of getting more time on defense. That didn't work out as he bounced around in 2018, eventually playing in one game for the Falcons. He recorded 12 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble in the preseason for Tampa Bay and should get some opportunities at inside linebacker, where Denver has been shaky behind starters Josey Jewell and Todd Davis (calf).