ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos released strong safety T.J. Ward, a three-time Pro Bowler, with a year left on his contract Saturday.

General Manager John Elway said cutting the eighth-year pro was a difficult decision “after everything he’s done for our football team.”

“He was a respected teammate whose attitude and physical mindset played a big part in our success, especially during our Super Bowl run,” Elway said.

Ward was due $4.5 million this year in the final season of the four-year, $22.5 million contract he signed in 2014. The Broncos will eat about $1.3 million from his prorated signing bonus.

GIANTS: Quarterback Geno Smith completed a remarkable comeback from major knee surgery and made the roster as Eli Manning’s backup.

JETS: New York released long snapper Tanner Purdum, the team’s longest-tenured player.

BUCCANEERS: Running back Doug Martin is headed to the reserve/suspended list, and the team waived receivers Josh Huff and Donteea Dye.

STEELERS-BROWNS: Pittsburgh shipped receiver Sammie Coates and his blazing speed but erratic hands to Cleveland. Pittsburgh also sent a seventh-round pick in the 2019 draft to the Browns for a sixth-round pick in next year’s draft.

WASHINGTON: Even with uncertainty about the future of Kirk Cousins, Washington cut Nate Sudfeld to go with just two quarterbacks.

49ERS: San Francisco cut last season’s leading receiver, Jeremy Kerley, and veteran defensive lineman Quinton Dial.

CHIEFS: Kansas City placed linebackers Tamba Hali and Dadi Nicolas on the physically unable to perform list, and released veteran running back C.J. Spiller.

COWBOYS: Dallas released quarterback Kellen Moore, completing undrafted rookie Cooper Rush’s surprising rise to the backup job behind Dak Prescott.

FALCONS: Defensive tackle Ra’Shede Hageman was placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List as the result of 2016 domestic violence-related charges.

BILLS: Buffalo reached an injury settlement with wide receiver Rod Streater and placed linebacker Sam Barrington on injured reserve.

EAGLES: Philadelphia is going with two quarterbacks after releasing Matt McGloin and Dane Evans, even though backup Nick Foles didn’t play in the preseason with an elbow injury.

PANTHERS-BILLS: Carolina acquired cornerback Kevon Seymour from Buffalo for wide receiver Kaelin Clay and a 2019 seventh-round draft pick.

JAGUARS: Tom Coughlin, in charge of personnel decisions for the team, said he has no interest in signing free-agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

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