After placing quarterback Joe Flacco (neck) and linebacker Corey Nelson (biceps) on injured reserve, the Denver Broncos promoted quarterback Brett Rypien and linebacker Josh Watson from the 10-man practice squad to the 53-man roster last week.
To fill the two spots on the practice squad vacated by Rypien and Watson, the team has signed outside linebacker Malik Carney and safety Tyvis Powell, according to The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala.
Carney (6-3, 235 pounds) is a rookie who totaled 176 tackles — including 32.5 tackles for losses — and 17 sacks during his four years at North Carolina. Before this year’s draft, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compared Carney to ex-Denver outside linebacker Shaq Barrett.
Powell (6-3, 210 pounds) is a third-year defensive back who has spent time with six different NFL teams, most recently with the Dallas Cowboys in August. He dressed for seven games with the San Francisco 49ers last season and totaled six tackles and forced one fumble.
Before the 2016 draft, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compared Powell to Kendrick Lewis, who had an eight-year career in the NFL.
The Broncos’ 10-man practice squad and 53-man roster are now both full.
