Broncos activate rookie safety Duke Ihenacho

(Image courtesy of Ron Chenoy/US Presswire)

The Broncos placed middle linebacker Joe Mays on the injured reserve list earlier today.  Taking Mays’ spot on the active roster will be rookie safety Duke Ihenacho, who was activated from the team’s practice squad this afternoon.

Replacing Ihenacho on the practice squad will be cornerback Mario Butler, who has spent time on the Dallas Cowboys‘ practice squad and active roster on-and-off since the beginning of the 2011 season.  Butler (6′-1″, 187 lbs.) played collegiality at Georgia Tech.

Ihenacho (6’, 213 lbs.), a San Jose State University product, joined the Broncos as an undrafted free agent following the 2012 NFL Draft.  Bouncing on-and-off of Denver’s practice squad in a similar fashion to Butler’s situation in Dallas, Ihenacho was active for one game earlier in the season.

Ihenacho will likely contribute on special teams if he dresses on game days and Butler will provide the Broncos with more cornerback depth while Tracy Porter regains his health.