ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Defensive lineman Sione Fua has another shot with the Broncos.
The team brought back the five-year veteran Thursday morning, just over 11 months after it waived him at the 53-man roster deadline just before the start of the 2014 season.
To make room for Fua, the team waived punter Karl Schmitz.
Fua was with the Broncos late in 2013 and throughout the following offseason after signing with them Nov. 27, 2013 to provide depth following an injury to then-starter Kevin Vickerson. He played in two December games that year, notching one tackle, and was inactive for six other games in a Broncos uniform, including three postseason games.
After the Broncos waived Fua last year, he landed with the Browns last Oct. 14.The 310-pounder played 11 games for them last year, logging 12 total tackles.
The 2011 fourth-round pick of the Panthers became an unrestricted free agent in March, but was unsigned until now.
Fua helps ease the Broncos' pressure to have enough defensive linemen to go three-deep at practice. Defensive end Malik Jackson has not practiced since last Friday because of a calf strain, and nose tackle Marvin Austin Jr. strained his groin during Monday's practice and sat out Tuesday. Defensive end Antonio Smith also continues to be eased back into full-scale work; he took his first team repetitions during Tuesday's practice. // // // // // //
