Denver Broncos: DL Kevin Vickerson Adds Bulk for New Season

The Denver Broncos may have beefed up their defensive line this offseason, but one Broncos defensive tackle has personally beefed up for 2012.

Kevin Vickerson, who played over the past two seasons for Denver at well under 300 pounds, has added some weight during the offseason. According to Lindsay Jones of the Denver Post, Vickerson arrived at camp weighing 324 pounds. Vickerson also reduced his body fat and increased muscle in an attempt to become a better run-stopper and fight for a starting position in 2012.

This news comes several weeks after Vickerson agreed to take a substantial pay cut to stay with Denver in 2012. Vickerson was not the only player on the roster asked to take reduced pay. Fellow defensive tackle Ty Warren refused to take a pay cut early in May, according to the Post's Mike Klis.

As a starter at defensive end in Denver's former 3-4 defensive system in 2010, Vickerson totaled 42 tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and an interception in 12 games. Playing in a rotational role in 2011, Vickerson totaled only four tackles in five games before suffering a season-ending ankle injury.

Vickerson figures to play a prominent role in Denver's defensive line this upcoming season as a rotational tackle behind projected starters Warren and rookie Derek Wolfe. Vickerson may yet have a chance to start following his offseason improvements and the injury-prone nature of Warren, who hasn't played in a regular season game since 2009 with the New England Patriots.

Along with new acquisition Justin Bannan, Denver is going with a fully revamped group of defensive tackles in 2012 after losing Vickerson and Warren in 2011 to injuries, and letting Marcus Thomas, Ryan McBean and Brodrick Bunkley walk in free agency.