ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Ty Law spent the first half of the season waiting for the right team to come calling. Now that it has, he doesn't want to waste any more time getting back on the field.

Law came out of what he called "semiretirement" yesterday to join the Denver Broncos and counts on contributing tomorrow night when the Pittsburgh Steelers bring three wide receivers to Invesco Field who are averaging more than 14 yards per catch.

"They're trying to get me ready to play this week in a limited fashion," Law said. "I did it last year."

The 15-year veteran joined the New York Jets at midseason in 2008 and played aplenty a few days later against New England.

"I'm just going to kind of wing it and go out and do the best I can," Law said. "But right now they're just shoving a lot down my throat because the terminology is totally different."

The 35-year-old Law gives the Broncos five players in the defensive backfield who are older than 30. Law said it was comforting to join a seasoned secondary that features Champ Bailey, Andre' Goodman, Renaldo Hill and Brian Dawkins.

"It's different between walking into a situation where you've got a bunch of young guys, a bunch of first- and second-year guys. This is perfect," Law said. "I can take my time and learn the system because it's already established and all I'm doing is trying to help."

The five-time Pro Bowl cornerback passed his physical and practiced with the Broncos yesterday, trying to acclimate himself to the altitude after signing what was believed to be a one-year deal.

Law, who gives the Broncos a defensive backfield that now sports a combined 20 Pro Bowl selections, also is familiar with Denver coach Josh McDaniels, who was an assistant with the Patriots during his time in New England.

Law helped New England to three Super Bowl titles. He signed with the Jets in 2005 after being released by the Patriots, and had a career-high 10 interceptions and was voted to the Pro Bowl. He was released by the Jets after that season and followed coach Herm Edwards to Kansas City, where he played two years before being cut in the offseason.

"He gives us some depth at corner. He played obviously a long time in this league. He knows how to play inside, outside and he's in good shape and ready to go," McDaniels said. "We feel like hopefully it will take us a step forward."

To make room on the roster, the Broncos waived defensive back Jack Williams. Law's signing also likely means reduced playing time in the nickel and dime packages for rookie Alphonso Smith.

"There are a bunch of guys out there hungry to get a championship and that's what I'm looking for, to try and capture another championship before I shut down for good."

ELSEWHERE

Dolphins: Linebacker Channing Crowder and nose tackle Jason Ferguson will miss today's game at New England. Miami downgraded both players on its injury report to out.

Crowder missed last Sunday's win against the New York Jets with a left shoulder injury, and Ferguson has an elbow injury.

Reggie Torbor is expected to replace Crowder in the lineup and Paul Soliai is in line for the first start of his three-year career with Ferguson out.

The Dolphins also announced last night that they signed rookie linebacker J.D. Folsom off their practice squad, and released linebacker William Kershaw.

Packers: Green Bay placed offensive lineman Jason Spitz on injured reserve with a lower-back injury. Spitz, who plays center and guard, appeared in five games this season.

The Packers also signed wide receiver Biren Ealy from the practice squad yesterday.

Jaguars: Jacksonville has been awarded safety Anthony Smith off waivers from the St. Louis Rams.

To make room, the Jaguars placed cornerback Scott Starks on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.

Smith, a third-round draft pick by Pittsburgh in 2006, has played 48 games with 14 starts for the Steelers and Rams. He played two games for the Rams this season before he was waived Thursday.

Saints: New Orleans has placed defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy on injured reserve with a knee injury and signed defensive tackle DeMario Pressley from the practice squad to the active roster.

Clancy, a 10th-year player in his third season with the Saints, played in two games and was inactive for five others because of the injury.

Pressley, a second-year lineman out of North Carolina State, was selected by the Saints in the fifth round of the 2008 draft.

Steelers: Pittsburgh won't announce whether safety Ryan Clark will play in Denver tomorrow night, although he is not expected to be in uniform.

Clark nearly died following a game in Denver two years ago because of a rare blood disorder that is aggravated by playing in high altitude.

While Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has not publicly said so, he is believed to have told Clark to sit out the game.