Essang Bassey lost his nickel-back spot last Sunday to Ja’Quan McMillian and on Tuesday he lost his spot on the team.

The Broncos waived Bassey on a day in which they made three roster moves, and they are expected to make at least one more Wednesday. The Broncos also signed wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith to the practice squad and released wide receiver Michael Bandy to make room on the squad. However, sources said Bandy is expected to be re-signed to the practice squad on Wednesday, when Denver is expected to promote running back Dwayne Washington from the squad to the 53-man roster.

Washington, an ace on special teams, has used up his three allowed elevations from the practice squad and would need to be signed to the active roster to play again this season for Denver. It was in that Chicago game that McMillian took over at nickel for Bassey, in his fourth season. The Broncos have some other defensive back who are now eligible to come off injured reserve in safety P.J. Locke and cornerback K’Waun Williams, the projected primary nickel back until he underwent ankle surgery in August. Smith played for New Orleans from 2018-22, his first four seasons with current Broncos boss Sean Payton as his coach. Smith, waived by the Saints last week off injured reserve. becomes the sixth former Saints player under Payton to be on either Denver’s active roster or practice squad. The others are tight ends Adam Trautman and Chris Manhertz, wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey and fullback Michael Burton on the active roster and Washington on the practice squad.