Report: Broncos cut safety Taylor Rapp after only six days on the roster

The Taylor Rapp era with the Denver Broncos was a quick one.

At least, for now.

The veteran safety is being released after only six days on the roster, according to NFL Network and ESPN’s Ian Rapoport. It’s part of a couple roster moves that Rapoport broke on Wednesday afternoon while the Broncos were practicing.

The #Broncos are making a couple roster moves ahead of their third preseason game, signing DT Israel Antwine and T Foster Sarell, per source.

Newly signed safety Taylor Rapp was released and WR Kyre Duplessis was waived.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 26, 2026

Rapp is gone at the moment, but head coach Sean Payton offered more details after practice about what went down. And Payton said Rapp could potentially be back down the road.

“He needs a little time at home. Completely get what he’s needing. There’s a good chance, better than good chance… I know how he felt being here. And I think sooner than later, that’s gonna happen, but this obviously took precedence. So, we’ll just leave it at that,” Payton said.

It sounds like a personal issue for Rapp, not an injury. He’s only 28-years-old and played significant starting snaps at safety for both the Rams and Bills thus far in his NFL career. He won Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles before moving on to Buffalo.

Rapp spent each of the last three seasons with the Bills, but only played six games in 2025 due to a knee injury before being cut in the spring.

Clearly, once the Broncos got Taylor Rapp in the building, something wasn’t right at home that needed to be addressed. Payton praised him on Monday.

“It wasn’t like us pounding the table, ‘we need a safety.’ It was, ‘hey, this player’s available,’ and ‘let’s work him out and sign him if possible.’ So I’m glad he’s here. We’ve had experience playing against him. He has real good football instincts and awareness that serves you well at that position. So I think it was more availability than necessity, if that makes sense,” Payton said 48 hours ago. 

But Payton also clarified on a follow up question that Taylor Rapp could indeed be re-signed by the Broncos.

For now, backup safeties JL Skinner and Devon Key are slotted in on the depth chart behind starters Brandon Jones and Talanoa Hufanga.

Related

Sean Payton says Broncos QB Bo Nix ‘probably won’t play’ against VikingsBroncos Country hasn’t had to worry about losing JFMBroncos, Joseph learning what approach they’ll need against offenses adapting to defuse pass rushThe Broncos could be a perfect fit for a future Hall of Fame linebackerVance Joseph: Broncos defense was ‘unengaged’ and a ‘bit lazy’ against PackersDr. Ramos & Zach Bye discuss Riley Moss