The Broncos placed NT Ty Warren on injured reserve on Saturday and promoted RB Jeremiah Johnson from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.
Warren underwent surgery on a partially torn right triceps in August. He missed the entire 2010 season because of a hip injury. The Broncos acquired the ninth-year veteran Aug. 2 after the Patriots had cut him.
Warren has 20½ career sacks.
Johnson had 16 carries for 64 yards and a touchdown in the preseason.
The way we see it
There was a thought that Warren could return, and this is a very tough blow to knock him out for a second season in a row. The Broncos got Warren to improve the team's run defense, and they are already missing DT Marcus Thomas.