Following the news that defensive end Jared Crick’s back required season-ending surgery, the Broncos signed former Seattle Seahawks nose tackle Ahtyba Rubin on Friday — and the team wasted no time in acclimating him to his surroundings, sending Rubin onto their Dove Valley practice field for the team’s walkthrough.
Rubin, who will wear No. 78 with the Broncos, started all 32 regular-season games over the last two seasons for Seattle, after spending seven seasons prior too that with the Browns, who drafted him in the sixth round of the 2004 draft.
While Rubin has started at least 11 games in each of the last seven seasons, the Broncos aren’t likely to plug him in a similar role along their line. Rubin, as a tackle, isn’t a direct replacement for Crick, who plays end. It’s more likely that the 31-year-old Rubin joins the Broncos’ rotation behind starter Domata Peko, 32.
What that means for rookie Tyrique Jarrett, who was promoted from the practice squad for the Broncos’ season-opener against the Chargers, is unclear. The Broncos like Jarrett’s size and potential, but with little need for three nose tackles in defensive coordinator Joe Woods’ scheme, it’s very possible that Jarrett will be waived within the next week or two, with the hope that he clears waivers and returns to the practice squad.
The Broncos’ short-term plan for replacing Crick still looks like what fans saw against the Chargers; mixing-and-matching with ends Adam Gotsis and Shelby Harris, with the possibility that rookie pass-rusher DeMarcus Walker might see more situational snaps in that role.
Four-year veteran Zach Kerr, who looked ready to break out before an injury kept him out of the opener, may loom as the Broncos’ longer-term solution. Surprisingly nimble for a 330-pound man, Kerr returned to practice this week and is expected to play a limited role in the Week 2 contest against the Dallas Cowboys.
For the Broncos, Crick’s loss hits hard — he was reliable and consistent as a starter last season — and replacing him won’t be easy. Adding another veteran in Rubin means that players like Kerr and stalwart Derek Wolfe won’t need to slide over to tackle during games; hopefully adding consistency and stability with Ezekiel Elliot and the fearsome Cowboys’ running game looming on the horizon.