ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Facing a deadline to bring wide receiver Josh Reynolds back to the roster from injured reserve, the Denver Broncos waived the eight-year veteran on Tuesday.

The Broncos, who designated Reynolds for return from injured reserve on Nov. 13, had to either add Reynolds to the 53-man roster this week or leave him on injured reserve to retain him. With two rookies now regularly in the receiver rotation alongside Marvin Mims Jr. in his second year, the Broncos opted to forego Reynolds instead.

If they want, they could bring Reynolds back to their practice squad if he clears waivers on Wednesday. Should he go unclaimed, Reynolds would be a free agent who could sign with any team.

He had 12 receptions for 183 yards and one touchdown in five games after suffering a broken finger during his touchdown catch against the Las Vegas Raiders on October 6. Reynolds signed a two-year, $9 million contract in free agency with the Broncos last March, and the Broncos will pay him $4.245 million guaranteed over his five-game term.

Broncos coach Sean Payton, who said Nov. 13 that it was “nice to have (Reynolds) back” as Reynolds returned to practice at the start of the 21-day tournament, continued to praise the efforts of freshmen Devaughn Vele and Troy Franklin. Both have worked their way into the rotation as receivers – Vele is second among the team’s wide receivers in catches (33) and yards receiving (377).

In Monday night’s win over the Cleveland Browns, Mims had his second career 100-yard receiving game with 105 yards on three catches, including the Broncos’ longest scoring play of the season, a 93-yard catch-and-run touchdown.

Reynolds has been on the injured list since his hand injury, but was also one of two men injured in a shooting in Denver in October. Reynolds suffered injuries to his head and left arm that police described as “non-life-threatening.”

Denver police later announced they had arrested two men in connection with the shooting: Burr Charlesworth, 42, and Luis Mendoza, 35. They were charged with six counts of attempted first-degree murder, six counts of first-degree assault and other felonies accused.

Reynolds has not spoken publicly about the incident.