:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/44278078/usa-today-8062962.0.jpg)
According to Mike Klis of The Denver Post, the Denver Broncos have signed kicker Brandon McManus to their Practice Squad. To make room for McManus the Broncos released defensive end Gerald Rivers from the Practice Sqaud.
Broncos re-signing K Brandon McManus to practice squad. Released DE Gerald Rivers. http://t.co/J3Rl8TxbyU
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) December 4, 2014
The Broncos have decided to bring back McManus after waiving him last week and signing Veteran Connor Barth as his replacement.
The Broncos traded for McManus after former kicker Matt Prater was suspended the first four games of the season, and eventually released by the Broncos. McManus was eventually waived by the Broncos earlier last week after making a league low 69%(9-13) of his kicks during his short stint as the Broncos kicker.
Barth did a very good job replacing McManus in the field goal department. He went five for five(tying a team record) on field goal attempts in the cold and windy confines of Arrowhead. However he did struggle in the kickoff department. This is where McManus could come into play.
Brandon McManus was 48 of 64 in touchbacks (75 pct). He was also 9 of 13 in FGs (69.2). Connor is 5 of 5 in FGs; 0 of 8 in touchbacks
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) December 4, 2014
With the weather in January being cold, windy and possibly snowy(much like the conditions Sunday Night) the Broncos want a capable kickoff specialist on their roster. The thinking is that the Broncos are stashing McManus on the Practice Squad until the playoffs. They would then activate McManus and use him as their kickoff specialist during the postseason.