Broncos insider Ben Allbright wouldn’t be surprised to see Broncos gauge a trade for Tre'Quan Smith
Or, he could just wait for TQS to get cut.
I thought a player who was released had to go through the waiver process, but not if they are a veteran with four or more years of playing time it is complicated. TQS has the four or more years. TQS has been in the league for five years and was on the "active" roster for 77 games, which is over 4 3/4 years.
But....if the player is injured, they have to go through the waiver wire process. Technically an injured player (veteran) goes through the waiver wire process. The original team can either have them revert back to them as an injured reserve player if no other team claims them.
"When a player is waived, it means that their contract is not yet terminated, but rather that
they are on a “waiver wire” that makes them available to be “claimed” by other teams."
"If another team claims the player, then he joins that team with the same conditions of his current contract. On the other hand, if no team claims him in a certain period of time, stereotypically by midday the next day, his contract is terminated and he becomes an unrestricted free agent."
Denver is fifth on the waiver wire order.
- Chicago Bears
- Houston Texans
- Arizona Cardinals
- Indianapolis Colts
- Denver Broncos
“
Waiving an injured player is basically informing the league about that player’s injury.
The player then goes through the same “waiver wire” above, and undergoes one of two options: a certain team puts in a claim for him, or no team claims him. When he’s not claimed, he reverts back to his original team’s injury reserve list. And then his team decides whether to “maintain” him or “release” him directly with an injury settlement."
That would mean another team could claim him if they are 1-4 on the list.
I always thought you could not "waive" an injured player, but it looks way more complicated than that.
If TQS can get "healthy" enough to pass a physical before cut day, the trade option is on the table. If TQS appears healthy enough for a trade, the Saints should insist that the physical take place in New Orleans before TQS can get hurt at the airport.
https://nfldraftdiamonds.com/2023/02/2023-waiver-wire-order/
https://en.as.com/nfl/nfl-whats-the-difference-between-waiving-cutting-and-releasing-n-2/
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitTr03.htm