The Denver Broncos are in the process of cutting down their roster to 53 players by Friday night's deadline, and their latest move is sending defensive end Jeremy Beal to the injured reserve list, ending his season before it even began.

Beal suffered a left knee injury against the Arizona Cardinals in the team's final preseason game on Thursday night. A 2011 draft pick, Beal spent the last two seasons on the practice squad. During this year's preseason he was playing well as he recorded five tackles, two sacks, three tackles for loss and a pass defensed.

This move puts the Broncos roster to 74 players, and a final decision on the 53-man roster must be made by 7 p.m. MT.

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