Broncos waive Jeff Holland, sign rookie cornerback

Jeff Holland's days as a Bronco appear to be over.

After an encouraging rookie training camp and preseason and a solid showing when he was called up to the active roster in the final quarter of the 2018 campaign, outside linebacker Jeff Holland has struggled to make an impact in year two. 

On Sunday morning, the Denver Broncos announced that they have waived Holland and signed cornerback Rashard Causey. 

Holland was signed as a college free agent last year and had at least an encouraging rookie campaign. But he's been outshined absolutely and completely this summer by undrafted rookie Malik Reed. 

Throw in the addition of veteran Dekoda Watson via draft-day trade and it really came down to one remaining outside linebacker spot being open behind Von Miller and Bradley Chubb. Holland was battling with Reed and Aaron Wallace, while losing reps to fifth-round rookie Justin Hollins. 

With both Shane Ray and Shaquil Barrett departed via free agency, the way was opened for Holland but he was unable to capitalize on his opportunity in the face of Reed's performance. Through two preseason games, Reed has two sacks and multiple pressures. 

Holland? Zilch. Nada. Zero. Happy trails to the former Auburn Tiger. 

Rashard Causey (6-foot-0, 195 pounds) is a rookie from the University of Central Florida who went undrafted this past spring, signing with Atlanta. He appeared in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game with the Falcons and was waived on Aug. 2.

The Broncos must have liked what they saw from Causey in that game and pounced when the Falcons put him on the wire. We'll see whether he can get any traction in the Broncos' backup cornerback competition.

Perhaps we'll get some additional insight on these two roster moves when head coach Vic Fangio addresses the media following Sunday's practice. 

Follow Chad on Twitter @ChadNJensen.