Englewood, CO -- (Sports Network) - Veteran fullback Kyle Johnson and Defensive tackles Jimmy Kennedy and John Browning were among 21 players waived by the Denver Broncos on Saturday, as Mike Shanahan's club pared its roster down to the NFL-mandated 53-player maximum.

Johnson was with the Broncos for five seasons. He was a reliable blocking back, who became a big part of their short yardage offense in the red zone, but he became expendable with Mike Bell's move to fullback, and the multi-faceted Cecil Sapp who plays both running back and fullback.

Kennedy, the No. 12 overall player selected in the 2003 Draft, was traded from the St. Louis Rams to the Broncos on June 8th in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick. The Penn State product was a 16-game starter for St. Louis in 2006, the first time in his career he had achieved that feat, and recorded 39 tackles and a sack.

Browning was another newcomer who failed to make the Broncos' roster despite a strong resume'. The former West Virginia star, who was attempting to return to the league after missing all of 2006 with a back injury, started 96 games and posted 26 sacks as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs from 1996 through 2005.

Also waived on Saturday were guard Emmanuel Akah, cornerback Bill Alford, safety Steve Cargile, center Greg Eslinger, guard Mark Fenton, quarterback Darrell Hackney, defensive tackle Steven Harris, linebacker T.J. Hollowell, cornerback Kevin House, wide receiver Glenn Martinez, guard Kevin McAlmont, wide receiver Marquay McDaniel, wide receiver Quincy Morgan, tight Chad Mustard, quarterback Preston Parsons, safety Roderick Rogers, linebacker Cameron Vaughn, and tackle Cliff Washburn.

Notables among that group are Morgan, the former second-round draft choice out of Kansas State who played in seven games with Shanahan's crew last year; and Mustard, who saw time in 12 contests with Denver in 2006.

The Broncos made one other move Saturday, placing end Kenny Peterson on its reserve/suspended list. Peterson, who violated the NFL's steroid policy, will miss the first four games of the regular season.

Denver will begin its regular season on Sept. 9, when it travels to meet the Buffalo Bills.