Broncos promote Shaquil Barrett; add DE to practice squad

As expected and widely reported Tuesday, the Denver Broncos officially added linebacker Shaquil Barrett to their active roster and signed defensive end Gerald Rivers to their practice squad, the team announced Wednesday.

Barrett (6-2, 250 pounds) is a rookie from Colorado State University who was signed by the Broncos as a college free agent and competed on the club's practice squad during the last six weeks.  He played three seasons at CSU, starting 35-of-38 games and totaling 246 tackles (116 solo), 18 sacks (119 yds.), 32.5 tackles for a loss (149 yds.), three interceptions (101 yds.), six passes defensed, seven forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and three blocked kicks.

He will take Danny Trevathan's spot on the active roster, who was placed on short-term IR Tuesday. Brandon Marshall and Corey Nelson (nickel) will continue to fill-in for Trevathan while Barrett adds depth to Denver's linebacker corps.

Rivers (6-5, 258 pounds) is a second-year player who appeared in two games with St. Louis and Jacksonville in 2013 after signing with the Rams as a college free agent form the University of Mississippi. He competed with the Jaguars through training camp this year before being waived and spending four weeks on Miami's practice squad.

A three-year letterwinner at Ole Miss, Rivers saw action in 27 career games (10 starts) for the Rebels.

Fans can follow Barrett and Rivers on Twitter at @MOOOCHIE056 and @InA_Flash, respectively.