Broncos make several roster transactions

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.< — The Denver Broncos on Tuesday signed linebacker Diyral Briggs to the team’s active roster, it was announced. Also on Tuesday, the team placed wide receiver Matthew Willis on injured reserve and signed wide receiver Eron Riley to its practice squad.

Briggs (6-foot-4, 230 pounds), who was originally signed to Denver’s practice squad on Sept. 22, is a second-year player who spent parts of the 2009 and ’10 seasons on San Francisco’s active roster. He played in four games with the 49ers last year and totaled four special-teams tackles. He also played in the club’s opener against Seattle this season.

Briggs originally signed with San Francisco as a college free agent on April 30, 2009, from Bowling Green State University, where he was a two-time All-Mid-American Conference selection and the 2006 MAC Player of the Year.

A two-time all-league choice at Mt. Healthy High School in Cincinnati, he was born on Oct. 31, 1985. His first name is pronounced DIE-rell.

Riley (6-foot-3, 205 pounds), is a first-year player who spent time on Carolina’s practice squad this season. He spent the entire 2009 season on Baltimore’s practice squad after signing with the club as a college free agent from Duke University.

The Denver Broncos on Wednesday signed tight end John Nalbone and defensive lineman Mitch Unrein to their practice squad, it was announced.

Nalbone (6-foot-4, 255 pounds) is a second-year player who played two games for Miami this season and also spent time on Minnesota’s practice squad. He entered the NFL with the Dolphins as a fifth-round draft choice (161st overall) in the 2009 NFL Draft from Monmouth University and spent a portion of last season on the club’s active roster and practice squad.

He totaled 101 receptions for 1,079 yards (10.7 avg.) with nine touchdowns as a three-year starter for Monmouth, earning All-Northeast Conference honors following his senior season.

A four-year letterman at Lawrence High School in Lawrenceville, N.J., he was born on May 14, 1986.

Unrein (6-foot-4, 300 pounds) is rookie defensive lineman who spent the 2010 preseason with Houston after being signed by the Texans as a college free agent from the University of Wyoming.

--- Official Press Release Per the Denver Broncos