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The Denver Broncos announced four transactions Tuesday as they prepare for their AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots this Sunday.
Placed on Injured Reserve are cornerback Chris Harris Jr. and defensive end Derek Wolfe. The loss of Harris, Jr. comes as no surprise; the move was imminent after the report of his ACL tear Monday. Wolfe's placement on IR, however, is a disappointing end to a drawn-out wait for him to get healthy following the episode he suffered November 29th. Since then, Broncos fans have been waiting for him to be cleared to play; that never took place.
Signed to the active roster are tackle Vinston Painter, one of the team's rookie draft picks this year (sixth round), and cornerback Marquice Cole. Cole hails most recently from the New England Patriots.
What about Rahim? Signing Painter and Cole instead of activating Rahim Moore, who is eligible to return as of this week, was an interesting development to me. I think that means Moore simply isn't ready to return. That might not be the case, so we'll just have to wait and see.
More on Marquice Cole. Cole (5-10, 195 pounds) is a fifth-year player who has seen action in 64 regular-season games (2 starts) with the N.Y. Jets (2009-11) and New England (2012-13), totaling 36 tackles (31 solo), four interceptions (49 yds.), 14 passes defensed and three fumble recoveries in addition to 51 special-teams stops, according to the Broncos. Released by the Patriots on Dec. 26 of this year, he'll add needed depth the Denver's depleted secondary - and maybe, a hint or two at what the Patriots will do to try and slow down Peyton Manning. Let the games begin.