One day before the Broncos were set to begin training camp practices, wide receiver Aaron Burbridge decided to hang up his cleats.
Burbridge, 25, is retiring, according to a report from ESPN’s Field Yates. His retirement will leave Denver with an open roster spot.
Burbridge had a breakout year as a senior at Michigan State in 2015, hauling in 85 receptions for 1,258 yards and seven touchdowns. After winning the Big Ten wide receiver of the year award, Burbridge was selected by the 49ers in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL draft.
He dressed for all 16 games as a rookie, hauling in seven receptions for 88 yards. Burbridge then spent the 2017 and 2018 seasons on San Francisco’s injured reserve list as he struggled to stay healthy.
Hoping to get his career back on track, Burbridge signed a futures contract with the Broncos in January and planned to compete for a roster spot this summer. On the eve of camp, Burbridge has apparently decided to end his career instead.
Denver now has 11 wide receivers remaining on its roster, headlined by Emmanuel Sanders, Courtland Sutton and DaeSean Hamilton.
