Wide receiver Cracraft joins after IR decisions
The Broncos on Tuesday released defensive lineman Ahtyba Rubin and placed offensive lineman Billy Turner on injured reserve, clearing two spots on the active roster to help compensate for injuries.
Shortly after, River Cracraft, a slot receiver out of Washington State, announced on Twitter that he signed with the team.
The Broncos lost Emmanuel Sanders and Isaiah McKenzie for at least Week 7 because of ankle injuries, leaving the team with only three other available receivers: Demaryius Thomas, Bennie Fowler and Jordan Taylor.
In 43 games with the Cougars (2013-16), Cracraft (6 feet, 200 pounds) totaled 218 receptions for 2,701 yards and 20 touchdowns. He missed the last three games of his senior year with a torn left ACL and went undrafted in April.
Cracraft — who, according to ESPN, was among four receivers to work out for the Broncos on Tuesday with Domonique Young, Tim Patrick and Devin Lucien — will wear No. 19 and could be an immediate contributor in the slot.
Rubin signed with the Broncos in September after starting defensive end Jared Crick was placed on injured reserve with a back injury. Rubin was active for two games and played a total of 13 defensive snaps, but didn’t record a tackle or sack.
Turner, a fourth-year veteran claimed off waivers by the Broncos in 2016, has served as a backup at both guard and tackle this season. In the team’s loss against New York last Sunday, Turner was inserted for Menelik Watson (calf ) at right tackle late in the second quarter and suffered the injury to his hand on a fourth-quarter sack of quarterback Trevor Siemian. Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul pushed off Turner to get to Siemian and Turner came up holding his hand in pain.
Turner finished out the game, but tests after revealed the fracture and he underwent surgery at The Steadman Clinic in Vail on Monday evening. He’s facing approximately eight weeks of recovery.
Denver could also look to promote Hunter Sharp from the practice squad to fill the final roster spot. Or it could seek help on the offensive line in the wake of Turner’s loss as well as the day-to-day status of Watson, who is dealing with a calf strain.
The Broncos will soon re-add outside linebacker Shane Ray to the roster after his lengthy recovery from wrist surgery. Ray was designated a shortterm injured reserve player Monday and is slated to make his return Oct. 30 at Kansas City.
Rookie tight end Jake Butt and quarterback Chad Kelly, both on the reserve/non-football injury list, were also cleared to practice. The team has a 21-day window to either activate them or leave them on NFI for the remainder of the season.