Quentin Griffin was continuing his workout tour Tuesday when he got a call.
It was from home.
Griffin quickly boarded a plane to Denver and headed back to his spot in the Broncos’ backfield.
In a move the Broncos hope bolsters their running game, they re-signed Griffin, 17 days after his release. He will be used as a change-of-pace back.
To make room on the roster, Denver cut rookie kick specialist Paul Ernster. The seventh- round draft pick was inactive for Sunday’s 20-17 victory over San Diego, and punter Todd Sauerbrun kicked off well in his place.
For Griffin, his return to Denver concludes a harried few weeks. Griffin worked out for Kansas City and Indianapolis before going to Detroit. When the opportunity came to go back to Denver, Griffin jumped at it.
“We just thought it would be a perfect situation to go back to Denver; it gives him a chance to get on the field immediately,” said his agent, Peter Schaffer. “He knows the system and works well in it.”
It’s not certain Griffin will have a role in Monday night’s game against the Chiefs. Griffin ran for 156 yards and scored three touchdowns against Kansas City in the season opener last year as the Broncos’ starting tailback. He lost that job and was out for the season after suffering a knee injury last October.
When Griffin was cut, Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said the team wanted to go with three tailbacks and two fullbacks. With Griffin back, Denver has six running backs.
Mike Anderson and Ron Dayne will be getting carries while Tatum Bell deals with an ankle injury. He is likely to practice later in the week.
Ernster’s agent said there’s a good chance the kicker could be signed to Denver’s practice squad as soon as today if he’s not claimed by another team. The Broncos might already be planning on that, waiving quarterback Kliff Kingsbury from the practice squad Tuesday.
Ernster’s agent, Brett Tessler, said his client understood Denver’s decision to release him.
“Paul loves Denver,” Tessler said. “We are confident, if he is not claimed, that there’s a very strong chance he’ll be signed to the practice squad.”
Sauerbrun will handle the Broncos’ kickoff duties for the rest of the season unless a change is made. He also is the holder on field-goal attempts.
If Ernster does not take Kingsbury’s spot on the practice squad, it could go to one of three quarterbacks who worked out Tuesday. Denver looked at Brian St. Pierre, Preston Parsons and Campbell Lang.
Denver also worked out wide receivers Jamin Elliott, Carlyle Holiday, David Kircus, Devin Pitts, Jerheme Urban and Taco Wallace.
Rookie keeps prize
Broncos rookie Darrent Williams had a touchdown on a punt return taken away because of a controversial penalty and an interception taken away on a reversed call in Sunday’s game against San Diego.
However, the dynamic second-round draft pick did get something out of it.
“I kept the ball on my interception,” Williams said. “It didn’t count, but it was my first so I’m keeping it.”
The cornerback is likely to get more chances for interceptions. His strong play probably will keep him on the field often.
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303 820-5450 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
