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Published on 09/17/2008 at Wed Sep 17 17:28.
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Broncos Bring Back WR Russell

Posted Wed Sep 17th by

Clifford Russel (AP Photo)

Yesterday, the Denver Broncos traded WR Keary Colbert to the Seattle Seahawks for a conditional 4th-5th round draft pick.  The roster spot Colbert left has now been filled.

The Broncos announced Wednesday that they have brought back WR Clifford Russell, who enjoyed an impressive training camp and preseason.  Per club policy, terms of Russell’s contract were not disclosed.

With WR Darrell Jackson still hurting from a calf injury (Jackson did not practice on Wednesday), the Broncos had an obvious need to fill the roster spot with another wide receiver.  Russell will wear #10, leaving practice squad WR Travis Johnson to switch to #12.

No surprise, we heard the rumors yesterday.  Full press release after the jump.

The Denver Broncos on Wednesday signed free-agent wide receiver Clifford Russell, Head Coach Mike Shanahan announced.

Russell (5-foot-11, 195 pounds) is a sixth-year player who originally joined the Broncos as a future-contract signee on Dec. 31 and competed with the club in training camp before he was waived on Aug. 30. He tied for the Broncos’ lead in receptions (10-86, 8.6 avg.) and returned two kickoffs for 49 yards (24.5 avg.) in the preseason.

In stints with Miami (2005-06), Cincinnati (2004) and Washington (2002-03), Russell has appeared in 21 career games (1 start). He has totaled five career receptions for 45 yards (9.0 avg.) and 39 kickoff returns for 872 yards (22.4 avg.).

After finishing his collegiate career ranked sixth in University of Utah history in both career receptions (124) and receiving yards (1,862), Russell was selected by Washington in the third round (87th overall) of the 2002 NFL Draft.

Russell, who attended Campbell High School in Ewa Beach, Hawaii, was born on Feb. 8, 1979.

He will wear No. 10 for the Broncos.

  • http://broncos-denver-broncos.blogspot.com/ Ian Henson

    Well, you know I like the choice =)

  • robtink242

    i thought we would bring glenn back seeing that he use to our system

  • Awesome, Austin

    clif is better than glenn

  • http://broncotalk.net Joe

    Cliff is better than Glenn, and I’m glad that this happened. I wasnt a huge fan of Colbert when we signed him, especially to the kind of deal that we signed him to. He played mediocre in preseason, and only had one lucky break with a big play. And plus, it doesnt really matter what other wide reciever really takes Colberts spot, they will not see the field. Theres not a big chance that Cliff will see the field with Marshall, Royal, Stokley, and Sheffler.

  • LorDog

    Joe..I think you’re right. He’ll never see the field. This is why I don’t really understand this move. Can any of you explain to me why we would bring in a WR that won’t see th field vs a DT or another nickel back?
    Thanks.

  • http://broncotalk.net Joe

    LorDog…This move just has to be about depth at the position. Its all just for the “just incase so and so gets hurt,” than we have someone to fill in. Our wide reciever depth looks like this now: Marshall, Royal, Stokley, Jackson, and now Russell. So its just for depth. And I very well agree with you, if it was up to me, I would have much rather signed a DT or another DE (preferably) than a WR that will not see the field. Dumervil is good, but I worry about the other side (Engleburger). We are just not getting the type of pass rush we need, so I think that would have been the smart choice. Hopefully since Moss is playing this game, we might be able to get to the QB with the speed we have with both DE’s when they are on the field at the same time. I think its starting to get to the point where its do or die for Moss, we can’t wait forever. He has to put up at least a tackle or two in this game, or I would think that we may go shopping around for one who will get the job done. But than again, I do not see the reason for why he would not have a good game. The Saints are not that good of a team in general. They biggest threat on offense is Bush, so if we stop him, they will have to pass. I think Moss will get his first sack of the year in this game.

  • http://merlinofchaos.livejournal.com E. Halsey Miles

    Oh I don’t know. We have 4 and 5 wideout sets, plus we need to give Marshall and Royal a breather from time to time. Russell will probably see a handfull of snaps per game. Especially with Jackson in the injury report.

  • T-Money

    SWEET. He was one on my favorites in the Pre-season. And he’s wearing my number.

  • flbronc

    he also gives us some flexibility in the return game if we need to use him- can give royal/hall a break if they need one for any reason.

  • http://www.broncotalk.net Josh Temple

    Was anyone else hoping for a Chad Jackson signing?

  • Stan

    Boy, Russel did not impress me in the preseason, especially during the Green Bay game, he looked bad. Hope I end up being wrong on this.

  • rcsodak

    I wanted Mallard brought back…….*sigh*