Broncos Jostle Practice Squad Roster

Lance Ball stiff arms Titan's DB Tuff Harris. December 28th, 2008.

Via the official site, it was announced the club has released running back Darius Walker from the practice squad.  Walker was an off season signing who had shown flashes of brilliance last year with the Houston Texans.  The team also has moved Everette Pedescleaux to the IR officially ending his season.  Jeff Legwold reported that Pedescleaux was missing from practice Friday but the team is not required to report injuries for the practice squad, so the specifics are still in question.

The Broncos have already filled the spots left open by the roster moves.  Returning is 2008 5th round pick, Carlton Powell.  Along with the re-signing of Powell, running back Lance Ball becomes the new name to be heard on the practice field.  Ball is a second year player who comes to Denver from his previous stint with the Colts.  In his one game performace he tallied 83 yards on 13 carries against the Tennessee Titans last season.  The Titans had signed Ball to their practice squad for 2009 but he has yet to dress for a game.

Press release after the jump.

BRONCOS ANNOUNCE PRACTICE SQUAD TRANSACTIONS

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos on Tuesday announced several transactions involving their practice squad, including the signing of running back Lance Ball and defensive lineman Carlton Powell to that unit.

The club also released running back Darius Walker from its practice squad and placed defensive lineman Everette Pedescleaux on its practice squad/injured list.

Ball (5-foot-9, 200 pounds) is a second-year player from the University of Maryland who joins the Broncos following a three-week stint (Weeks 5-7) on the practice squad of Tennessee, which released him on Oct. 27. He entered the NFL with St. Louis as a college free agent in 2008 and saw his lone action as a professional in Indianapolis’ 2008 season finale, rushing 13 times for 83 yards (6.4 avg.) and adding a 5-yard reception.

At Maryland, Ball appeared in 41 career games (19 starts) and rushed 549 times for 2,487 yards (4.5 avg.) with 26 touchdowns. He finished his collegiate career ranked fourth in school history in rushing yards and tied for fourth in rushing touchdowns.

A first-team all-state selection at Teaneck High School in Teaneck. N.J., Ball was born on June 19, 1985.

Powell (6-foot-2, 312 pounds) is a second-year player from Virginia Tech University who was selected by the Broncos in the fifth round (148^th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft. He spent his rookie year with Denver on its reserve/physically unable to perform list and competed in the club’s training camp this season before he was waived on Sept. 4.

The defensive lineman was signed to Cleveland’s practice squad on Oct. 6 and competed on that unit before he was released on Oct. 20.

During his final two seasons at Virginia Tech, Powell started 13 games each year and helped the Hokies post consecutive top-four national rankings in yards per game and points per game allowed.

An all-region pick by PrepStar at Great Bridge High School in Chesapeake, Va., Powell was born on Aug. 14, 1985.