Exams on Boss Bailey revealed no breaks or torn ligaments, just a severe high ankle sprain that should sideline the strongside linebacker for the rest of the preseason.
Bailey became the Broncos’ highest-paid free-agent acquisition this offseason, receiving a five-year, $17.5 million contract that included a $4.3 million signing bonus. He was injured on the second defensive play of the Broncos’ preseason opener Saturday night at Houston.
Bailey still was using crutches Monday, and coach Mike Shanahan could not give a time for his return.
“I’m not really sure at this time,” Shanahan said. “Those high ankle sprains, sometimes they’re worse than a broken ankle, and sometimes they’re a couple of weeks. We will keep our fingers crossed.”
If Bailey recovers in four weeks or less, he could be available for the Broncos’ season opener Sept. 8 at Oakland.
Louis Green suffered a neck injury and a concussion three plays after going into Saturday’s game to replace Bailey. Green was immobilized on a backboard and carted off the field, but tests at a hospital revealed no serious damage.
Green returned to Denver with the team Saturday night and watched practice Monday. Green will not play this Saturday against Dallas, but will be cleared to play if the soreness and numbness in his left arm go away, Shanahan said.
With Bailey and Green out, Jamie Winborn was the first-team strongside linebacker Monday.
Holland back.
Montrae Holland, who started all 16 games at right guard last season, participated in his first full-squad practice Monday. Holland reported to training camp overweight on July 25 and was held out of practice until he was slimmed down to 325 pounds.
He practiced with the second- team offensive line Monday and has no guarantees he will regain his spot in the starting lineup, now occupied by Chris Kuper.
Holland acknowledged he has fallen behind.
“Any time you miss two weeks of camp, that’s development, and timing, and right now mine is a little off,” Holland said. “But you know, we’re practicing, so all I can do is get better.”
Tight end Chad Mustard also returned to practice Monday after missing much of the organized team activities in May and June and the first two weeks of camp with a hamstring injury.
Koutouvides a starter.
Niko Koutouvides returned to the first-team defense at middle linebacker Monday proving the battle to be the starter is ongoing. Koutouvides, signed as a free agent in the offseason, played with the second team behind Nate Webster on Saturday night, and was listed behind Webster on the depth chart released by the team Sunday.
More injuries.
In addition to Boss Bailey and Green, the following players were held out of Monday’s lone practice because of injuries: safety Hamza Abdullah (groin), cornerback Champ Bailey (hamstring) fullback Peyton Hillis (hamstring), center Tom Nalen (left knee) and tackle Erik Pears (back). Defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban was also given the afternoon off.
Lindsay H. Jones and Mike Klis, The Denver Post
