A strong preseason finale wasn’t enough to land running back Kapri Bibbs and linebacker Shaquil Barrett on the 53-man roster, but it kept the former Colorado State stars in the Broncos’ plans.
Bibbs and Barrett signed to the Broncos’ practice squad on Sunday, according to NFL sources.
They were joined by quarterback Zac Dysert, safety John Boyett, center Matt Paradis, receivers Nathan Palmer and Bennie Fowler, lineman Vinston Painter and tight end Gerell Robinson.
The Broncos, per league rules, can carry 10 players on the practice squad.
Bibbs rushed for three touchdowns and 84 yards in the preseason, delivering his best performance against the Cowboys. He was beat out by Juwan Thompson for the fourth running back spot.
“I try to think of myself like an oven. Not an electric one, but a gas one. Right when you turn it on, it goes,” Bibbs said. “I feel good about that. That I made something happen when I had the ball. It was good to get a lot more carries. This was an interview. The NFL is a business, and I tried to create the best resume I could, to reinforce to the coaches, ‘I am here. You can’t forget about me.'”
Bibbs tweeted Sunday, “Still a bronco god has a plan for everything putting it all in his hands!”
Barrett, like Bibbs, was a wrecking ball for the Rams last year. He ran into a roster crunch because the Broncos’ defensive line is its deepest since 2005. He delivered two sacks against the Cowboys, meeting his promise before the game.
“Just that I can make plays in the game. They say it in practice — that practice goes far — but you make your money in the games. If I don’t do it in the games I’m pretty much worthless to the team,” Barrett said.
Dysert, a seventh-round pick by the Broncos in 2013, finished the preseason 12-of-18 with 106 yards. Boyett, who plays fast and with energy, provides depth in the secondary. He performed well early in camp despite being bothered by a back injury. Paradis faced a tough challenge making the final roster given the depth at center. Palmer didn’t have much time to shine in August because of the emergence of rookie Cody Latimer.
Washington claimed Broncos safety Duke Ihenacho, who started 17 games for the Broncos last season. He lost his job in Denver with the signing of T.J. Ward and the return from injury of Quinton Carter. Multiple Broncos tweeted Ihenahco good luck wishes with his new team.
Troy E. Renck: trenck@denverpost.com or at twitter.com/troyrenck
