NFL Capsules: Pro Bowler Ty Law signs with Broncos

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Ty Law spent the first half of the season waiting for the right team to come calling. Now that it has, he doesn’t want to waste any more time getting back on the field.

Law came out of what he called "semiretirement" Saturday to join the Denver Broncos and counts on contributing Monday night when the Pittsburgh Steelers bring three wide receivers to Invesco Field who are averaging more than 14 yards per catch.

"They’re trying to get me ready to play this week in a limited fashion," Law said. "I did it last year."

The 15-year veteran joined the Jets at midseason in 2008 and played aplenty a few days later against New England.

"I’m just going to kind of wing it and go out and do the best I can," Law said. "But right now they’re just shoving a lot down my throat because the terminology is totally different."

The 35-year-old Law gives the Broncos five players in the defensive backfield who are older than 30. Law said it was comforting to join a seasoned secondary that features Champ Bailey, Andre’ Goodman, Renaldo Hill and Brian Dawkins.

"It’s different between walking into a situation where you’ve got a bunch of young guys, a bunch of first- and second-year guys. This is perfect. I can take my time and learn the system because it’s already established and all I’m doing is trying to help," Law said.

The five-time Pro Bowl cornerback passed his physical and practiced with the Broncos on Saturday, trying to acclimate himself to the altitude after signing what was believed to be a one-year deal.

Law, who gives the Broncos a defensive backfield that now sports a combined 20 Pro Bowl selections, also is familiar with Denver coach Josh McDaniels, who was an assistant with the Patriots during his time in New England.

Law helped New England to three Super Bowl titles. He signed with the Jets in 2005 after being released by the Patriots, and had a career-high 10 interceptions and was voted to the Pro Bowl. He was released by the Jets after that season and followed coach Herm Edwards to Kansas City, where he played two years before being cut in the offseason.

"He gives us some depth at corner. He played obviously a long time in this league. He knows how to play inside, outside and he’s in good shape and ready to go," McDaniels said. "We feel like hopefully it will take us take a step forward."

To make room on the roster, the Broncos waived defensive back Jack Williams. Law’s signing also likely means reduced playing time in the nickel and dime packages for rookie Alphonso Smith.

Two of the Broncos’ last three opposing quarterbacks — New England’s Tom Brady and Baltimore’s Joe Flacco targeted Denver’s third cornerback with great success.

Law had been training in Florida and said he hadn’t counted on staying on the sideline much longer.

"I trained to play. I wouldn’t be out there if I didn’t," he said. "(I) had some closure in my career as far as what I’ve done and what I’ve accomplished. I’ve accomplished a lot of things. But I still had the itch."

Law said he spurned other teams’ offers this season and never expected the Broncos to call, but jumped at the chance when he heard from McDaniels. He said he later heard Indianapolis had some interest, too.

But this seemed like the perfect fit.

"First, I’m familiar with a lot of their guys here. They’re hungry. They’re winning and then, my familiarity with Josh McDaniels. I’ve won a few championships with him," Law said. "Other than going back to New England, this would be the ideal situation for me.

"There are a bunch of guys out there hungry to get a championship and that’s what I’m looking for, to try and capture another championship before I shut down for good."

Fox NFL pregame show to be aired from Afghanistan

NEW YORK — The Fox NFL pregame show will be broadcast from a military installation in Afghanistan on Sunday.

The six-man announcing team traveled to an undisclosed location in the country this week to honor servicemen and women three days before Veterans Day. The two-hour special begins at 10 a.m.

"It’s been so surreal, it’s hard to describe," Fox analyst Michael Strahan said of the trip. "To witness so many young, smart, committed and capable men and women is inspiring. We’re here to show our appreciation for their service and sacrifice, and all they want to do is show their appreciation to us for coming here."

The idea for the show came about when Fox Sports chairman David Hill was passing through the airport in Dallas last spring. He noticed military personnel walking through the terminal were going mostly unnoticed, and he wanted to do something about it.

The commentators participated in a humanitarian aid drop as part of the trip.

"We’re flying over the mountains of Afghanistan in a C17 loaded with pallets of essential supplies, and to see that cargo roll out the back of the plane and the parachutes deploy was quite an experience," analyst Jimmy Johnson said. "I’ll never forget it."

Injuries

Dolphins’ Crowder, Ferguson ruled out

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Linebacker Channing Crowder and nose tackle Jason Ferguson will miss the Miami Dolphins’ game at New England on Sunday.

The Dolphins downgraded both players on their injury report to out, weakening their defense for the matchup against Tom Brady and the Patriots. Crowder missed last Sunday’s win against the New York Jets with a left shoulder injury, and Ferguson has an elbow injury.

Reggie Torbor is expected to replace Crowder in the lineup and Paul Soliai is in line for the first start of his three-year career with Ferguson out.

The Dolphins also announced Saturday night that they signed rookie linebacker J.D. Folsom off their practice squad and released linebacker William Kershaw.

Jaguars get Smith off waivers, place Starks on IR

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars have been awarded safety Anthony Smith off waivers from the St. Louis Rams.

To make room for Smith, the Jaguars placed cornerback Scott Starks on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.

Smith, a third-round draft pick by Pittsburgh in 2006, has played 48 games with 14 starts for the Steelers and Rams. He has 99 tackles, four interceptions and 23 special teams tackles.

Smith played two games for the Rams this season before he was waived Thursday.

Starks played five games for the Jaguars this season and had seven tackles and two special teams tackles.

No announcement on Clark expected until Monday

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers won’t announce whether safety Ryan Clark will play in Denver until Monday night, although he is not expected to be in uniform.

Clark nearly died following a game in Denver two years ago because of a rare blood disorder that is aggravated by playing in high altitude. While Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has not publicly said so, he is believed to have told Clark to sit out the game.

Clark had his spleen and gall bladder removed during separate operations and he lost 30 pounds after the Oct. 21, 2007, game in Denver, which ended his season. Many of Clark’s teammates told him he should skip the game.

Clark is not listed on the Steelers’ injury report because he is not hurt and he practiced all week.

Saints place Kendrick Clancy on IR

NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Saints have placed defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy on injured reserve with a knee injury and signed defensive tackle DeMario Pressley from the practice squad to the active roster.

Clancy, a 10th-year player in his third season with the Saints, played in two games and was inactive for five others because of the injury.

Pressley, a second-year lineman out of North Carolina State, was selected by the Saints in the fifth round of the 2008 draft. The 6-foot-3, 301-pounder spent his rookie season on injured reserve rehabbing a foot injury suffered early in training camp.

Packers place C/G Spitz on IR, ending his season

GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Green Bay Packers have ended Jason Spitz’s season, placing the offensive lineman on injured reserve with a lower-back injury that has been slow to heal.

The center/guard appeared in five games this season as part of an offensive line that has yielded a league-worst 31 sacks.

The Packers on Saturday also signed wide receiver Biren Ealy from the practice squad. The 6-foot-2 Ealy appeared in four games with Tennessee in 2007 and spent the 2008 season on the Titans’ practice squad.