Broncos promote WR Willis from practice squad

Denver Broncos wide receiver Matthew Willis throws a pass as he waits to take part in drills at the team's NFL football training camp at Broncos' headquarters on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

With Brandon Marshall out and Eddie Royal ruled out as well, the Denver Broncos added depth at wide receiver Saturday by signing Matthew Willis from the practice squad to the active roster.  To make room on the roster, tackle Herb Taylor was released.

The Broncos face the Kansas City Chiefs in their season finale Sunday. Before adding Willis, the only wide receivers available were Jabar Gaffney, Brandon Stokley, and Brandon Lloyd.

Willis (6-0, 190 lbs.) is a second-year wide receiver who joined the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent out of UCLA in 2007.  He bounced back and forth from the Ravens’ roster and practice squad before landing with Denver’s practice squad in December 2008, where he spent all 16 weeks of the 2009 season.

The last time the Broncos made a Saturday practice squad promotion was with CB Tony Carter, who started admirably at nickelback.  Hopefully Willis can take equal advantage of his opportunity.  Press release after the jump.

BRONCOS SIGN WR MATTHEW WILLIS TO ACTIVE ROSTER; WAIVE T HERB TAYLOR

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos on Saturday signed wide receiver Matthew Willis to their active roster from the team’s practice squad, it was announced. As per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Denver also waived tackle Herb Taylor, who initially joined the club on Dec. 9, 2008 as a free agent before being waived on Dec. 19 and then re-signed on Dec. 29.

Willis (6-foot-0, 190 pounds), is a second-year wide receiver who spent the first 16 weeks of the regular season on Denver’s practice squad. He originally entered the NFL with Baltimore as a college free agent on May 4, 2007 from UCLA. He spent eight weeks on the Ravens’ practice squad in 2007 and eight games on the club’s active roster, appearing in five games and totaling one tackle on special teams along with an 11-yard reception on offense.

Willis spent the first two weeks of the 2008 season on Baltimore’s practice squad before being waived by the club. Willis was signed to Denver’s practice squad on Dec. 24, 2008.

At UCLA, he played two seasons of football after competing on the Bruins’ track team. He played 21 career games (3 starts) at UCLA, posting 24 receptions for 248 yards (10.3 avg.) with three touchdowns.

Willis attended Servite High School in Anaheim, Calif., and was born on April 13, 1984.