Denver ? Lenny Walls has gone from starter to the injured list to, eventually, a former Denver Bronco.

The Broncos decided to part ways with the cornerback on Tuesday, a surprising move that signaled their confidence in fast-improving rookies Darrent Williams and Domonique Foxworth.

The Broncos placed Walls, a fourth-year player who began the season as the starter opposite Champ Bailey, on the reserve-injured list, meaning he must be released after he recovers from an injured groin.

Walls, who missed much of last season because of a dislocated shoulder, lost his starting job early this season and missed last week’s 49-21 win over Philadelphia with the groin strain.

“That had nothing to do with it,” coach Mike Shanahan said of the injury. “It’s just the play of some of our younger guys.”

The Broncos focused heavily on cornerbacks in the draft, picking Williams in the second round and Foxworth and Karl Paymah in the third. All three have performed ahead of expectations.

Williams, who Shanahan originally said he liked because of his punt-return skills, has emerged as the starter across from Bailey.

Foxworth has become the team’s primary nickel back. Last Sunday against Philadelphia, he made a key fourth-quarter interception – his second of the season – in Denver’s win.

Paymah has played well and the Broncos also have Roc Alexander, Sam Brandon and Curome Cox. Alexander is a cornerback, while Brandon and Cox can each play multiple positions. Denver also signed rookie safety Hamza Abdullah off the Tampa Bay practice squad to take Walls’ roster spot.

“I’m definitely not amazed and I know Darrent’s not amazed by what he’s been able to accomplish,” Foxworth said. “That’s what we planned to do, being second- and third-round picks. I know not a lot of people expected us to come in and do as much as we did, but it was our job to come in and prove a lot of people wrong and prove the Broncos’ front office right.”

Williams said he didn’t come into camp with any expectations. Now, he’s the starter for good.

“I’m a pretty fast learner,’ he said. “It came out good for me and I just want to maintain it.”

The move is made even more surprising because Bailey has been less than 100 percent all season, hampered by a sore hamstring. He had a rough game against Philly, getting beaten by Terrell Owens for a 91-yard touchdown and a 43-yard catch that set up another score.