Broncos officially place Crick on IR, sign DT Rubin

UPDATE: The Denver Broncos have officially placed defensive end Jared Crick on injured reserve and, in a corresponding move, signed defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin.

After practice on Friday, head coach Vance Joseph said there wasn’t so much a setback with Crick, who had injured his back late in training camp, but rather he couldn’t battle back fully over the last three weeks.

“He had a great day on Wednesday, but he was really sore on Thursday. So, after further examinations, he needs surgery,” Joseph said. “He’s going to be on IR for the year. It was a disk in his back. Again, I’m no doctor, so I couldn’t tell you the exact — but it’s his back. It’s a disk in his back.”

“Again, I’m no doctor, so I couldn’t tell you the exact — but it’s his back. It’s a disk in his back.”

Though Crick’s sidelined indefinitely, Joseph did not rule out that he could make a return, as now two players are allowed to be re-activated from injured reserve.

As for Rubin, Joseph said he’ll be able to catch up with the Broncos playbook quickly but he was still unsure if he’ll play Sunday as of Friday afternoon.

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The Denver Broncos appear poised to sign veteran defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin and place defensive end Jared Crick on injured reserve, according to reports.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported early Friday morning that Crick, who suffered back spasms throughout training camp, will have surgery to address the issue and could be looking at a “lengthy absence.”

#Broncos DE Jared Crick is having surgery on his back, sources say, and he’s looking at a lengthy absence. Likely Injured Reserve bound.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 15, 2017

Crick did not practice on Thursday after being just “limited” in Wednesday’s practice.

“I wouldn’t say a setback. We’re just being really smart with him. We want to get him totally healthy so he can help us in the future,” head coach Vance Joseph said after the practice on Thursday.

A six-year pro, Crick played in 15 games for the Broncos in 2016 after signing with the club during the offseason. Previous to that, he spent his first four NFL seasons with the Houston Texans.

At 6-foot-2 and 321 pounds, Rubin adds not only depth but size to the Broncos defensive line.

A victim of the roster cuts after the Seahawks traded for defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson, Rubin had been heading into his third year in Seattle and 10th overall in the NFL in 2017. Previous to that, the defensive lineman played seven seasons for the Cleveland Browns.

In 131 career games (107 starts), Rubin’s amassed two interceptions, six forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, 15 sacks, and 257 tackles.

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.