Rarely do teams with Super Bowl aspirations trust something as fraught with peril as long snapping to a rookie. But that appears to be the direction in which the Broncos are headed after they cut veteran Lonie Paxton on Monday. Denver is left with Aaron Brewer to handle the long-snapping duties.

Brewer, an undrafted rookie from San Diego State, signed with the Broncos in April. The Broncos opted not to hide him and instead showcased him with preseason game work, which he performed flawlessly. Paxton had two years remaining on his contract, on which he was owed over $1.7 million over the next two years. Brewer will earn $390,000 if he sticks on the roster throughout the season. 

Notable cuts: RB Xavier Omon (third year, 2011 practice squad, Northwest Missouri State) -- He turned in an impressive performance in the preseason opener against Chicago, but lost traction on the practice field in the days that followed and didn't see any action against the 49ers on Sunday. Omon's lack of practice-squad eligibility hurt his chances. WR Mark Dell (first year, undrafted free agent in 2011, Michigan State) -- He spent 2011 on injured reserve after hurting his knee in that year's preseason opener at Dallas. The Broncos were high enough on his potential to keep him around while he rehabilitated, but he failed to move past other young receivers like ex-Arena Football standout Greg Orton and undrafted rookie Gerell Robinson. DE Cyril Obiozor (third year, 2012 street free agent, Texas A&M) -- He got off to a strong start in training camp, but was outclassed by Jeremy Beal, who spent last year on the Broncos' practice squad and now looks set to back up Derek Wolfe at left defensive end.

Complete cut list: LB Elliot Coffey (rookie, undrafted, Baylor), WR Mark Dell (first year, undrafted free agent in 2011, Michigan State), WR Cameron Kenney (first year, 2012 waiver claim, Oklahoma), TE Anthony Miller (rookie, undrafted, California), DE Cyril Obiozor (third year, 2012 street free agent, Texas A&M), RB Xavier Omon (third year, 2011 practice squad, Northwest Missouri State), LS Lonie Paxton (13th year, unrestricted free agent in 2009, Sacramento State), S Anthony Perkins (rookie, undrafted, Colorado), OT Mike Remmers (rookie, undrafted, Oregon State), CB Ramzee Robinson (fourth year, 2012 street free agent, Alabama), FB Austin Sylvester (first year, 2011 practice squad, Washington), G Austin Wuebbels (rookie, undrafted, Missouri).

The Broncos also placed DE Jason Hunter on injured reserve with a torn triceps muscle to get down to 75 players.

For up-to-the-minute Broncos updates, follow Andrew Mason on Twitter at @CBSSportsNFLDEN and @MaxBroncos.