Broncos sign former 1,000-yard rusher in wake of Devontae Booker injury

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos have signed running back Stevan Ridley on the team’s first day of training camp, as first reported by Ian Rappaport of NFL Network.

The move comes less than 24 hours after the team discovered a fracture in running back Devontae Booker’s wrist, sidelining him for six weeks according to Vance Joseph. Ridley, 5-foot-11, 220 pounds, is a similar size to Booker, 5-foot-11, 212 pounds.

Ridley, 28, had his best seasons in 2012 and 2013 rushing for 1,263 yards and 773 yards, respectively, with the New England Patriots. Since then, however, Ridley has only amassed 437 yards rushing yards in 15 games due in large part to a torn ACL and MCL in 2014 and a separate knee injury in 2015.

In 2016, Ridley was a member of the Atlanta Falcons, appearing in one game and rushing for seven yards after short stints with both the Detroit Lions and the Indianapolis Colts.

A former third-round pick in 2011, Ridley has proven he has what it takes to play in the NFL, however, after multiple knee injuries his career has never been the same.

Ridley joins a backfield led by C.J. Anderson, Jamaal Charles, De’Angelo Henderson, Bernard Pierce, Andy Janovich and Juwan Thompson.

Shortly before inking the deal, Ridley was at the Broncos’ facility and had an individual workout in front of Joseph, Matt Russell, Mike McCoy and Eric Studesville.

To make room for Ridley, the Broncos cut guard Chris Muller.