ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Following the Broncos’ Week 1 win, the team has placed a pair of starters on injured reserve.
Denver placed wide receiver Jerry Jeudy and cornerback Ronald Darby on injured reserve, the team announced Tuesday.
In a pair of corresponding moves, the Broncos have promoted cornerback Nate Hairston and wide receiver Kendall Hinton from their practice squad to the active roster.
Jeudy suffered an ankle injury on Sunday against the Giants, and Head Coach Vic Fangio said Monday that Jeudy would “miss some time” with a high ankle sprain.
Darby played all 61 defensive snaps against the Giants, but he has been diagnosed with a hamstring injury that has landed him on IR.
Neither player’s injury is expected to be season-ending, but both Jeudy and Darby must spend at least three weeks on injured reserve before they are eligible to return to the active roster. Following the minimum three-week stay on IR, the two players will likely be evaluated on a week-to-week basis. There is no limit to the number of players that can be activated from IR.
Hairston played nine special teams snaps against the Giants and has appeared in 44 career games over the last five seasons. Hinton has appeared in two career games, including extensive time during one contest as the Broncos’ emergency quarterback in 2020.
The Broncos also signed cornerback Rojesterman Farris and wide receiver Rico Gafford to their practice squad. Farris spent time with the Broncos during training camp, while Gafford is a fourth-year player who spent the last three seasons with the Raiders.
Finally, the Broncos also protected four players on its practice squad: RB Damarea Crockett, QB Brett Rypien, OL Austin Schlottmann and CB Saivion Smith.