Broncos will use bye to regroup after injuries
ENGLEWOOD • There's nothing the Denver Broncos can do to change their injury situation.
Worrying or complaining won't bring cornerback Champ Bailey back sooner than his four-to-six week recovery period from a groin injury. Linebacker Boss Bailey and backup quarterback Patrick Ramsey were placed on injured reserve, so they're officially done for the season. Boss Bailey will have microfracture surgery on his knee, which he said has cartilage damage, in a week. Ramsey will wear an elbow brace for a month, and said surgery is unlikely but possible.
The Broncos have to move on, and quickly. They have the bye week to regroup, and then must figure out who will fill in starting next week.
"You're hoping you don't have injuries, but sometimes you do," coach Mike Shanahan said. "Some younger players get some opportunities, or some veteran players get some opportunities. Fortunately we have a bye week, so we have time to work out some kinks."
At cornerback, Karl Paymah looks like the replacement for Champ Bailey. Rookie Jack Williams will stay in a backup role. Paymah was benched after three games this year from his role as Denver's third cornerback. Now, he has to replace a possible Hall of Famer for at least a month.
"It's going to be a tremendous loss, Champ is obviously the best player on the defense, but it's an opportunity for me," Paymah said. "I'm definitely ready to do what I can to keep the ball moving forward."
Boss Bailey said he thinks he will recover and be fully healthy before training camp next year. Jamie Winborn is his likely replacement at strongside linebacker. Without Bailey at linebacker, the Broncos might have to reconsider how much they will use their 3-4 alignment with four linebackers. That was their predominant alignment against New England. Louis Green replaced Boss Bailey in the 3-4 after he got hurt against the Patriots. Rookie Wesley Woodyard could also be a candidate for more playing time in the 3-4.
At least Shanahan said quarterback Jay Cutler's banged-up right index finger should be fine. With Ramsey out, Shanahan said Darrell Hackney will come up from the practice squad and back up Cutler.
"Hackney will come up and get the job done," Shanahan said.
That wasn't all the injuries. Shanahan said running back Michael Pittman visited a specialist to evaluate rib injuries and a neck stinger he suffered Monday. Pittman said he will be able to play against Miami on Nov. 2.
"Today I was going to practice, but they decided to hold me out of practice," said Pittman, who added he has badly bruised ribs. "I'll be ready for the game against Miami."
One of the few pieces of good news for the Broncos came from receiver Brandon Stokley, who missed Monday's game with a concussion but said he is feeling better and hopes to return after the bye.
The Broncos also put offensive tackle Erik Pears on the reserve/non-football illness list after he had an appendectomy, and they cut defensive tackle Steven Harris off the practice squad.
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Contact the writer: 476-4891 or frank.schwab@gazette.com
