Former Denver Broncos right tackle Ryan Harris has re-signed with the Broncos, he is expected to add depth due to the injury to Denver guard Chris Kuper. Kuper suffered a rather gruesome broken ankle in Sunday's Week 17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Harris was a third round draft pick in 2007 out of Notre Dame by then head coach Mike Shanahan. Originally thought to be the left tackle replacement for Denver great Matt Lepsis, Harris moved to right tackle after Shanahan drafted Ryan Clady in the first round of 2008.
Harris is perhaps best known for only allowing one and a half sacks on former Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler in 2008, as part of that great Clady/Harris tandem. The Fighting Irish grad spent half of 2009 on Denver's injured reserve. In 2011 Harris went to camp with the Philadelphia Eagles, but was waived/injured on September 3rd, 2011 after undergoing back surgery.
Harris is 6'5" 300 lbs, it is not immediately clear whether he will fill in at guard or play as extra insurance for tackle. Yesterday, following injuries to both Kuper and Russ Hochstein back-up left tackle Chris Clark slid to guard out of necessity.
KUPER TO IR, LARSEN UPDATE:
To make room on the roster Kuper was placed on injured reserve. As of now there is no word on fullback Spencer Larsen who was also injured Sunday. Undrafted rookie Austin Sylvester who is currently on the Denver 53 man roster would likely replace Larsen if he is unable to play against the Pittsburgh Steelers.