Broncos released TE Joel Dreessen.

Dreessen was cut with the "failed physical" designation. He underwent surgery on his left knee in February, his third operation on the same knee is less than a calendar year. Dreessen will turn 32 on Saturday and may be nearing the end of the line with his body starting to betray him. The Broncos save $2.5 million.

Broncos TE Joel Dreessen didn't participate in spring practices because of ongoing knee issues.

Dressen underwent surgery on his left knee in February. It was his third operation on the same knee in fewer than 12 months. Soon-to-be 32-year-old Dreessen carries a $3.1 million cap charge this season and may be on the chopping block with the Broncos right up against the cap. He caught seven balls in 2013.

The Denver Post believes the Broncos will turn to Joel Dreessen and Jacob Tamme to "pick up the slack" if Julius Thomas (knee, questionable) is inactive for Week 12 at New England.

Virgil Green would be the No. 3 tight end and handle "plenty of playing time" if the sub-favorable weather conditions "cause the Broncos to try and run the ball more than they would like." Dreessen would draw the start and be the best bet for a red-zone score, so we'd start him if forced to choose from the trio. Tamme would probably run the most pass routes, but has never been a big part of Denver's passing game even dating back in 2012, when he was a starter.

Broncos TE Joel Dreessen (knee) is listed as probable for Week 12.

Dreessen practiced fully on both Thursday and Friday. He'll be active against the Patriots and could see a bigger role with Julius Thomas banged up.

Joel Dreessen (knee) was limited in Wednesday's practice.

Dreessen underwent two knee scopes in the offseason. The Broncos are just limiting his reps. He won't be on the fantasy radar if Julius Thomas (ankle) plays.

Joel Dreessen caught two passes for 19 yards and a touchdown in Denver's Week 8 win over the Redskins.

Dreessen was only in the ballgame because Julius Thomas departed with an ankle issue. Dreessen entered Week 8 with one catch on the season, and won't be on the fantasy radar even if Thomas is unavailable for Week 9.

Broncos TE Joel Dreessen (knee) returned to Broncos practice Thursday, getting in a limited session.

Dreessen could make his season debut in Monday night's game against the Raiders, but has been buried on the depth chart by Julius Thomas. His fantasy relevance is long gone.

Broncos TE Joel Dreessen (knee) is listed as out for Week 2.

Julius Thomas will continue to play 100 percent of the offensive snaps.

Joel Dreessen (knee) did not practice Monday.

Dreessen continues to do agility work on the side as he recovers from a scope. He's lost his starting job to Julius Thomas anyway.

Broncos TE Joel Dreessen (knee) has been ruled out for Thursday night's season opener versus Baltimore.

Dreessen underwent two knee scopes since last season, his latest coming nearly a month ago. Julius Thomas will open the season as the starting tight end. He may never relinquish the duties. Thomas is a high-upside TE2.

Broncos TE Joel Dreessen (knee) is not practicing this week.

In-line TE Dreessen has undergone two scopes on his balky left knee since May. Julius Thomas will open the season as the Broncos' every-down tight end.

Joel Dreessen (knee) is close to returning to practice.

The Broncos are backpedaling on their previous statement that Dreessen wouldn't play in any preseason games. They now say that he could get a little work in the finale. It's not great news for the fantasy prospects of the intriguing Julius Thomas.

Broncos TE Joel Dreessen is done for the remainder of training camp after undergoing a followup surgery on his balky left knee.

He'll also miss all four preseason games. Dreessen underwent a left knee scope in May, experienced a setback in training camp, and needs another surgery. This has opened the door for Julius Thomas to grab the Broncos' starting job.

Broncos T Joel Dreessen (knee) will be sidelined "at least two weeks."

Dreessen had a clean-up procedure on his knee in May, and he has now suffered a setback in his recovery. Both Dreessen and Jacob Tamme (quad) have been out for the past week, so Julius Thomas has been getting valuable reps with the first team. Dreessen won't catch 41 passes again this season.

Broncos TE Joel Dreessen underwent arthroscopic surgery to "clean up" his knee.

Coach John Fox termed it "just a little knee procedure, scope, done, just to clean it up." He added this would be a good opportunity for backup tight end Julius Thomas, who missed most of his first two seasons with injuries, to get quality reps. Dreessen is expected to return for training camp.

Joel Dreessen caught six passes for 48 yards in Denver's Divisional Round loss.

With Peyton Manning having trouble driving the ball downfield, Dreessen ended up drawing eight targets after never garnering more than seven during the regular season. Today was just the third time in 2012-13 Dreessen posted more than four catches. Six months shy of his 31st birthday, Dreessen won't enter 2013 on the redraft radar.

Joel Dreessen caught two passes for 15 yards in Denver's Week 17 win over the Chiefs.

A typical day at the office for Dreessen, who ends the regular season with just 41 catches for 356 yards. Signed through 2014, Dreessen won't be more than the No. 5 option in the passing game during the Broncos' run at the Super Bowl.

Joel Dreessen caught five passes for 30 yards and a touchdown versus the Raiders in Week 14.

Joel Dreessen caught four passes for 28 yards in the Broncos' Week 11 win over the Chargers.

Dreessen's play of the game came on an 11-yard gain down the right sideline where he broke a couple of tackles and gave the Joe Montana two-armed celebration signal afterwards. Dreessen was targeted six times in the game, one more than Jacob Tamme. From a fantasy perspective, Dreessen and Tamme have essentially canceled each other out this season. They're both low-end TE2s.

Joel Dreessen was held without a catch in Denver's Week 8 rout of the Saints.

Dreessen was targeted only two times. Although Dreesseen totaled 10 catches in Weeks 5 and 6, he's still at just 153 yards receiving on the season. He's not a viable TE2.