Broncos HC Joseph likes roster cut change, ‘it helps all parties’

As the Denver Broncos hit the practice field Tuesday for the first day of OTAs, the NFL owners voted at their annual spring meeting in Chicago to sack the rule requiring teams to cut rosters from 90 to 75 players before its final preseason game.

Teams will not have all 90 players for the preseason finale, after which they’ll be required to trim to the final 53, according to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

When asked about it after practice on Tuesday, Broncos head coach Vance Joseph said he liked the rule change, which could allow teams to rest valuable backup players and allow for more opportunities for fringe players to make a splash.

“That fourth game is always tough because you’re playing some valuable players, even though they’re back up players,” Joseph said. “They’re playing 55 snaps of football and playing special teams for us. So, that’s dangerous. You can lose a valuable player in that fourth game. But now, you have the entire roster …”

Joseph said it “helps all parties” — the players and the organization — by giving those players trying to make the time more reps.

“It’s good for all parties in my opinion. … Instead of being cut, you have the chance to play one more NFL football game,” Joseph said. “And someone may see you and someone spot you, and it could change your career. It helps all parties.”

Among other reported rule changes, the league owners voted to allow two players to be eligible to return from injured reserve each season, to shorten overtime periods to just 10 minutes, and to relax end zone celebration rules.

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.