The Denver Broncos waived cornerback Levi Wallace on Tuesday in favor of bringing running back Blake Watson from the practice squad to their active roster.

Wallace played in Denver’s first 13 games, starting two, including a 41-32 win over the Cleveland Browns on December 2nd. In the lineup with injured cornerback Riley Moss, Wallace had a long day against Browns quarterback Jameis Winston.

In the two games since, the former Alabama defensive back has been a healthy backup as Denver has used younger players like Kris Abrams-Draine, a freshman from Spanish Fort High School, to replace Moss.

“It’s never an easy decision,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said of waiving Wallace. “Hopefully we’ll see how it goes and we can get him back (to the training group). Basically you are trying to protect your squad in certain positions. I would say that some of these guys, given the way Kris Abrams-Draine is really progressing. And keeping a young player like Blake Watson that others are trying to keep – this is the time of year when some of the eliminated teams might try to improve with an eye on the future (by signing practice players). it’s always difficult.

“But it’s roster management, and it’s difficult.”

Wallace joined Denver as an NFL free agent on April 22. He was on the field for 307 defensive snaps and 49 special teams games this season.