Following guard Ronald Leary’s placement on injured reserve for the torn Achilles’ tendon he suffered in the Broncos’ loss to the Rams the week prior, the team announced the signing of rookie lineman Nico Falah from the Jets’ practice squad.
Falah, 23, who went undrafted but attending training camp with the Titans before being signed by the Jets, started 26 games at center for the USC Trojans, many of them as Jets quarterback Sam Darnold’s backup.
Congratulations to USC alum @NicoFalah on signing with the @Broncos! #USCtotheNFL pic.twitter.com/Z4XVR3Bpk1
— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) October 20, 2018
Falah was added to the active roster, where he is expected to add depth to an offensive line that now starts Max Garcia and Connor McGovern at the guard positions. The Broncos did not have a true backup center to perennial Pro Bowler Matt Paradis, and with guard-tackle Billy Turner starting at right tackle in Jared Veldheer’s absence due to injury, the team needed an infusion of depth on its weakest unit.
Falah, 6’4″ and 300 pounds, will make a pro-rated $282,350 for the remainder of the season and is expected to be listed as a backup at both center and guard.