The feeling of dread seemed palpable for those on the bubble Monday inside Broncos headquarters.

Players arrived for practice before Denver’s final preseason game after two veterans, defensive tackle Zach Kerr and outside linebacker Dekoda Watson, were released less than one week before the roster will be cut from 90 to 53 players.

“Excuse my language,” reserve defensive tackle DeShawn Williams said, “but (stuff) just got real.”

Watson and Kerr had combined for 14 NFL seasons, 170 game appearances, 227 tackles, and 13.5 sacks; proven NFL production. But as coach Vic Fangio assembles defensive personnel to fit his scheme, surprises were inevitable, and the release of Kerr opens up intriguing options to fill the interior defensive line depth.

Kerr, who re-signed with Denver on a 2-year deal in March, opened the preseason listed as the backup to starting defensive tackle Shelby Harris. Who steps up in place of Kerr? Fangio was asked to identify potential depth chart risers at the position.

“On the D-Line I think (DeShawn) Williams and (Mike) Purcell have done well for themselves,” Fangio said. “So we’ll see how it goes.”

Williams, 26, signed with the Bengals in 2015 as an undrafted free agent from Clemson and bounced from practice squads in Denver, Miami, and Indianapolis before re-joining the Broncos in May. His only NFL action came in 2016 with two tackles, four quarterback hits and a half-sack over four game appearances.

He was among the Denver hopefuls cut after preseason last year. His Broncos practice squad assignment lasted just over a week before he was released. His return under a new coaching staff provided a fresh start in familiar surroundings. And Williams recorded a tackle for loss in the preseason opener by blowing up a Falcons’ screen pass. Related Articles Broncos Briefs: Phillip Lindsay doubtful to play Sunday, but progressing from toe injury

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“Going through a long period of time of not hearing no phone calls and you start to question, ‘Are you good enough?’ I think that’s why I play the way I play because I know every day is not promised,” Williams said. “Look at Zach (Kerr).”

Purcell, 28, is a Highlands Ranch native who starred collegiately at Wyoming. The Broncos are his seventh team in seven seasons, but three previous years with Fangio and the 49ers (2014-’16) inspired confidence he could make it in Denver. On Saturday against the Rams, Purcell knifed through the interior to tackle running back Justin Davis for a 2-yard loss in the fourth quarter. Fangio told reporters Purcell also has the versatility to play defensive end in a pinch.

“It’s the same defense that I learned,” Purcell said. “Coming in as a rookie, I spent a lot of time in the playbook and a lot of time learning. I feel like I struggled at first, so coming back to this defense has been great. Everything fell into place. It’s the same calls and I’m really familiar with it.”

The clock is ticking for Broncos on the bubble to prove themselves.