Broncos place Danny Trevathan on Injured Reserve with designation to return

Updated 4:01 p.m. with buzz regarding Shaquil Barrett. Updated 3:45 p.m. MDT with confirmation from the Broncos.

Denver Broncos linebacker Danny Trevathan has been placed on the Injured Reserve list with designation to return, the team announced Tuesday. ESPN's Field Yates first reported the news.

Source: The Broncos have placed LB Danny Trevathan (knee) on IR with the designation to return.

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) October 14, 2014

Trevathan is not eligible to return to the practice field for six weeks and could not play in a game for eight weeks. He'd be next eligible Sunday, December 14th in Week 15 against the San Diego Chargers. He can return to the practice field November 26th.

The move is slightly surprising.  John Fox said Trevathan's new injury was "not remotely" like the leg fracture that knocked him out for seven weeks during Denver's training camp, and Trevathan was slated to miss three to six weeks, according to The Denver Post. Now he'll miss much more.

On the bright side, it will free up a roster spot for the Broncos.

Linebackers Brandon Marshall and Corey Nelson are expected to continue to fill-in for Trevathan in base and nickel packages.

Update: The Broncos will look to promote undrafted rookie linebacker Shaquil Barrett from the practice squad to take Trevathan's roster spot, according to ESPN's Jeff Legwold and The Denver Post's Mike Klis.