A brutal blow has hit the Denver Broncos’ linebacker corps, with Levelle Bailey suffering a broken leg in their first preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons. The team has made the expected move, placing Bailey on a waive/injured designation that will officially revert to season-ending injured reserve. This was all but certain after Denver signed safety Taylor Rapp earlier in the day.
A Promising Ascent Cut Short
Bailey has been a player to watch, really making a name for himself over the last two offseasons. Last year, he was pegged as a breakout performer during training camp, and it looked like he was set to continue that upward trajectory in 2026. He was getting first-team reps while key guys like Dre Greenlaw and Alex Singleton were out with injuries. Bailey wasn’t just there, he was *making plays*, even getting starts in the preseason. It felt like he had absolutely locked up a spot on the 53-man roster and was looking at a real role on defense. Now, all that momentum is gone, his season ending before it truly began. Talk about a tough break, literally.
Depth Concerns and a Rookie’s Chance
The inside linebacker position was already considered a bit thin for the Broncos, so losing Bailey absolutely does not help that situation. With a player who was performing at a high level and seemingly ready to contribute significantly now sidelined, the coaching staff has to be scrambling. However, there’s a new face stepping up: rookie Red Murdock. He’s reportedly been making a name for himself during camp and has received some good praise from the coaching staff. Murdock could be the silver lining, providing the Broncos with a bit of reprieve after Bailey’s devastating injury.
Denver is set to host the Green Bay Packers this Friday. All eyes will be on how Bailey’s season-ending injury shakes up the snap counts and rotations among the inside linebackers. It’s going to be a real test of their depth, or lack thereof.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Mile High Report.
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