Broncos place OL Billy Turner on IR, release DL Ahtyba Rubin

The Denver Broncos made a pair of roster moves on Tuesday, placing injured guard Billy Turner on injured reserve and releasing defensive lineman Ahtyba Rubin.

Head coach Vance Joseph said Turner, who fractured his right hand filling in at right tackle for Menelik Watson on Sunday, underwent surgery this week in Vail.

Turner’s injury leaves the Broncos a short-handed at right tackle, as Watson is day-to-day with a calf strain, though Joseph said on Monday the team has options at the position.

“All options will be explored. We still have (Donald) Stephenson who is healthy. Allen Barbre has played right tackle in his career,” Joseph said. “We have some options there.”

The moves also make room for Denver to possibly promote wide receiver Hunter Sharp to the active roster, Denver 7 Broncos Insider Troy Renck reports, or tight end Jake Butt and Shane Ray, who are both working back from injury.

#Broncos release DT Ahtyba Rubin and place T/G Billy Turner on IR. Clears way to add WR Hunter Sharp and for additional move @DenverChannel

— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) October 17, 2017

Rubin played just two games for the Broncos in 2017 after signing with the club on Sept. 15. The sixth-round draft pick of the Browns in 2018 spent seven seasons in Cleveland and two seasons with the Seattle Seahawks before signing on with Denver.

The Broncos claimed Turner off waivers last season, after which he played in three games for Denver. Sunday was the lineman’s first action of the 2017 campaign.

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @johnnyhart7.