Smith (knee) was released by the Broncos on Tuesday. A fifth-round selection in 2013, Smith entered the NFL while rehabbing from a torn ACL, and then suffered another knee injury toward the end of the 2014 season. He has just seven tackles through 15 career games, as he was unable to earn a significant role on defense in his two seasons with the Broncos.

Broncos DC Jack Del Rio said second-year DE Quanterus Smith (knee) is "moving around very well." Smith is 18 months removed from a torn ACL and should be 100 percent healthy after "redshirting" on injured reserve as a rookie. The 6-foot-5, 255-pound speed rusher will push for snaps behind DeMarcus Ware and Derek Wolfe on obvious passing downs. Smith had 12.5 sacks as a senior before the injury.

ESPN Broncos reporter Jeff Legwold says the team remains high on second-year DE Quanterus Smith. Smith missed his entire rookie season as he recovered from a torn left ACL that he suffered in November 2012 as a senior at Western Kentucky. He had 12.5 sacks before the injury, with three of them coming against Alabama and D.J. Fluker. Smith should have an opportunity to earn a situational pass-rushing role in 2014.

Broncos placed DE Quanterus Smith on injured reserve, ending his season. Smith is still working his way back from tearing his left ACL in November. The fifth-round rookie will "redshirt" this season. Smith's recovery didn't progress as quickly as the Broncos had hoped. Denver could have used his depth.

Broncos rookie DE Quanterus Smith (ACL surgery) was fully cleared for the start of training camp. Smith took "regular turns through the defensive line rotation" on the first day of Broncos practice. His recovery was highly impressive after tearing his left ACL last November. Smith is a promising fifth-round pick out of Western Kentucky who shredded Alabama's offensive line for three sacks in a 2012 game.

Broncos fifth-round DE Quanterus Smith (torn ACL) has been participating in individual and positional drills at OTAs this week. Smith isn't even six-and-a-half months shy of tearing his left ACL. "When I'm done doing the drills I feel good," Smith said. "I don't feel all the way normal but I still have another month-and-a-half to get ready. Everything feels good. I don't feel like I'm babysitting it too much." Smith plans to be ready for team drills once training camp rolls around in late July.

Broncos signed No. 146 overall pick DE Quanterus Smith to a four-year contract. A potential fifth-round steal because he's recovering from a November ACL tear, Smith flashed edge-bending pass-rush ability and excellent technique while pacing the nation in sacks per game before his injury. Smith is sitting out rookie minicamp. He could wind up contributing late in the season as a rookie.

Broncos rookie DE Quanterus Smith (ACL surgery) expects to be "full go" for the start of training camp. Smith tore his left ACL on November 17 and spent the pre-draft process rehabbing. He was leading the nation in sacks pre-injury. A fifth-round pick out of Eastern Kentucky, Smith rushes the passer with bend and pro-ready technique. He could contribute in nickel and dime packages later on in the 2013 season.

John Fox has drafted three of the last four players to have at least three sacks in a game against Alabama, Broncos' fifth-round pick DE Quanterus Smith accomplished the feat last season. As the Panthers' head coach, Fox selected Auburn's Stanley McClover - three sacks against 'Bama in 2005 - in the seventh round of the 2006 draft. Fox's Panthers then selected Mississippi's Greg Hardy - three sacks against 'Bama in 2007 - in the sixth round of the 2010 draft. Utah's Stevenson Sylvester was the remaining player to notch three sacks agains 'Bama. The Steelers selected him in the fifth round of the 2010 draft.