PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NFL : Broncos Cut Former Ram Young

The Denver Broncos cut wide receiver Michael Young to make room for linebacker Tim Lucas, who was activated from injured reserve.

Young led Denver in receptions last year and set career highs with 44 receptions and 629 yards, with two touchdowns. He was the only Denver receiver to have a catch in every game.

Young was on injured reserve for the most of the early part of the season after undergoing back surgery. He played in the last four games.

Young told a local radio station that being cut came as a surprise, and that he had brought his parents to Denver to see Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys.

This is Young’s fourth season with the Broncos. He played two seasons with the Rams before coming to Denver.

Lucas has played six seasons with the Broncos. He was put on injured reserve Oct. 8, after suffering a hamstring injury.

Mike Holmgren, coach of the Green Bay Packers, said that Darrell Thompson would make his first start of the season at running back, against the Detroit Lions at Milwaukee County Stadium on Sunday.

Thompson has been injured most of the season, gaining 80 yards in 17 carries.