The Broncos on Thursday signed unrestricted free-agent linebacker Nick Greisen, who spent the 2009 season with the Broncos — on injured reserve.

The ninth-year player said missing the entire season was one of the hardest things he has had to endure in his NFL career, and he expects to prove his worth to his teammates and coaches in 2010.

“I came in here and I really had three or four days of training camp, and none of the guys really got to know me as a football player and what I can do on the field,” he said. “I actually have been in the league for eight years for a good reason — it’s not just that I’ve slipped through the cracks, but because I was able to succeed in the NFL and help teams win.

“Hopefully next year I’ll get that opportunity to prove to guys that I deserve to be here.”

Previously, Greisen has played for Baltimore, Jacksonville and the New York Giants. He has appeared in 98 regular-season games with 33 starts and five postseason contests with one start. He has amassed 305 tackles, four sacks, one interception, 12 passes defensed, four forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries in his career. He has also contributed seven tackles and four-special teams stops in the playoffs.

For more on Greisen, check out the feature “Lost Season Fuels Fire.”

-Gray Caldwell, DenverBroncos.com