Week 8 Notes: King Claimed by Panthers; Broncos Sign Chad Bumphis

(Tavarres King)

The Denver Broncos have signed rookie wide receiver Chad Bumphis to their practice squad unit, the team announced on Tuesday. Bumphis fills a practice squad spot that was formerly occupied by rookie receiver Tavarres King.

King has been on Denver's practice squad for the first six games of the season before the Green Bay Packers tried to sign him to their active roster. To prevent Green Bay from signing him, the Broncos activated King to their 53-man roster one week ago today.

Just days after activating King, however, the Broncos waived him to make room for Von Miller, who was returning from suspension, on the active roster.  King was then claimed off waivers by the Carolina Panthers.

It is unclear why the Broncos prevented King from signing with the Packers and then waived him—it may have been that the team was expecting King to clear waivers so they could re-sign him to their practice squad. He didn't clear waivers, so the Broncos went with Bumphis, who caught nine passes for 138 yards in preseason with the Miami Dolphins.

New Broncos practice squadder Chad Bumphis played 81 snaps in preseason (+2.0) with Dolphins. 97% of routes run from the slot.
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) October 22, 2013

On a different note, the Broncos have declared this week "Orange Sunday" and are encouraging fans to wear orange when Denver hosts the Washington Redskins at home on Sunday. This week's game will mark Mike Shanahan's first return to Denver since being fired as head coach in 2008. Shanahan's Redskins are 2-4.