Broncos make roster moves as Ronald Leary heads to IR

Denver Broncos starting right guard Ronald Leary was officially placed on injured reserve Tuesday morning, the team announced.

Leary started 11 games for the Broncos before suffering a back injury against the Raiders in Week 11. The proficient guard was one of Denver’s most-prized free agent signings this offseason when he agreed to a four-year, $35 million contract that will keep him in Denver through his age-31 season.

Leary was a bright spot on the Broncos’ struggling offensive line this season. His pass blocking efficiency rating, measured by Pro Football Focus, ranked 14th among NFL guards. Leary allowed two sacks, three quarterback hits and nine hurries in 425 pass blocking snaps.

Connor McGovern has started in Leary’s place for the past two weeks and will likely hold down the right guard spot for the rest of the season. The 24-year-old was a fifth-round draft pick in 2016 and spent his entire rookie year on the active roster, but never saw the field. McGovern has appeared in 10 games so far this season, primarily playing special teams.

To fill Leary’s void on the 53-man roster, the team announced that it signed 25-year-old tight end Matt LaCosse from the New York Giants’ practice squad.

LaCosse started this season on the Giants’ active roster but was moved to the practice squad on Nov. 11. He appeared in three games, including the Sunday Night Football game in Denver, but has yet to catch his first NFL pass.

The young tight end played collegiately at Illinois for four years and caught 38 total passes for 397 years and six touchdowns.

In a trade of sorts, the Giants signed wide receiver Hunter Sharp away from the Broncos practice squad.