A third-round draft pick in 2017, Carlos Henderson got off to one of the worst starts in NFL history. He never got on the field as a rookie, as his struggles during the offseason and a thumb injury led him to season-ending injured reserve.

ENGLEWOOD — After going through all the commotion that was Carlos Henderson, the Broncos decided after one practice they didn’t want him, anymore.

A third-round draft pick in 2017, Henderson got off to one of the worst starts in NFL history. He never got on the field as a rookie, as his struggles during the offseason and a thumb injury led him to season-ending injured reserve.

He then was arrested in January on a marijuana possession charge after he was unable to eat the evidence without detection. Henderson then failed to report to training camp.

After asking for mercy upon John Elway’s court, Henderson was brought back on the Broncos’ practice squad, but was immediately suspended one week because he reached a plea deal on the marijuana charge.

Henderson was reinstated this week and went through practice Wednesday. He must not have impressed. He was released Thursday.

“We’ve had four different moves on practice squad this week, so it’s just a football decision and it’s part of what you do with your practice squad,’’ said Broncos head coach Vance Joseph. “You kind of keep breaking guys in and out to try to find the best fits for your future, and guys who can play for you if someone gets injured. It’s purely a football decision. That’s all I can say about that.”

The Broncos are not expected to fill Henderson’s vacant practice squad spot this week. Bringing back receiver River Cracraft to the practice squad next week is a possibility.

Hall of Fame nominees include 13 former Broncos

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced 102 modern-era nominees for consideration on the class of 2019 ballot.

The list includes these 13 former Broncos: Running back Clinton Portis, receiver Rod Smith, center Tom Nalen, guard Chris Hinton (a Bronco for a week, then traded for Elway), defensive ends Neil Smith and Simeon Rice, linebacker/defensive end Karl Mecklenburg, safeties John Lynch and Steve Atwater, cornerbacks Champ Bailey and Ty Law, kicker Jason Elam and coach Dan Reeves.

This group will be trimmed to 25 semifinalists later this year, and then 15 finalists for vote on the eve of Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta. Only five modern-era candidates can be elected.

A Jake and nothing Butt

The world was mean way before social media came along.

One reason why kids go to school in the first place is to learn how to soften their innate cruelty.

“I remember in kindergarten I would get terrorized, and that's like when you take everything personally,’’ said Jake Butt, the Broncos’ tight end. “I hated the first-day-of-class roll call, because they'd always call out 'Butt'. I'd just get beet red and I'd come home to my dad and tell him that I wanted to change my last name.

“He'd laugh and tell me, 'You're going to have fun with this someday.' So, here we are. We're having a lot of fun with it."

Butt and his family have turned any last-name teasing into good-natured fun. For Jake Butt, his attitude about his last name turned in junior high.

"I was getting bigger than everybody, so I could just laugh at them,’’ he said. “Probably like seventh or eighth grade."

Bronco Bits

Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe was limited with a slight abdominal strain. Defensive tackle Domata Peko Sr. was given a vet day off. …