Broncos defensive end Jared Crick is having surgery on his back, sources tell Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). He is looking at a lengthy absence, Rapoport adds.
The Broncos placed Crick on IR.
[RELATED: Broncos To Sign DT Ahtyba Rubin]
Crick went from the Texans to the Broncos when he signed a two-year, $4MM deal with Denver prior to the 2016 season. He appeared in all 16 games last year with Denver including 15 starts and finished out with 53 tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles, and six pass deflections. This year, Denver was hoping to start him at left defensive end, but they’ll have to get by without him for at least a couple of months.
To help soften the blow, the Broncos signed former Seahawks defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin on Friday morning. Rubin will probably need some time to learn the playbook, but he could be in line for a major role after the Broncos face the Bills on Sunday.