There was the Nightmare in New England on national cable television.
And there was the injury carnage the day after. Call it Terrible Tuesday at Dove Valley.
According to three NFL sources, the Broncos learned Tuesday that strongside linebacker Boss Bailey and backup quarterback Patrick Ramsey will be lost for the season. Bailey needs microfracture surgery to repair the knee damage he has received throughout his playing career, and again Monday night during the Broncos’ humiliating 41-7 loss to the New England Patriots. Ramsey reinjured his right throwing elbow, which had been bothering him since the third preseason game.
Meanwhile, star cornerback Champ Bailey will be out four to six weeks with a torn right groin. The Broncos, remember, entered their game against New England without injured receiver Brandon Stokley (concussion), tight end Tony Scheffler (groin) and running back Selvin Young (groin).
As if the Broncos didn’t have enough depth problems, they also will lose backup offensive tackle Erik Pears for an extended period after the former Colorado State standout underwent an emergency appendectomy while the team was in the Boston area.
Goodness. More roster maneuvers, for performance reasons, may be forthcoming. The Broncos are interested in safety Chris Crocker, who was cut Tuesday by Miami. Crocker was one of three free-agent safeties who visited with the Broncos in March. The Broncos decided to sign Marlon McCree and Marquand Manuel, who opened the season as starters. McCree was replaced in the starting lineup last week by Calvin Lowry.
The Broncos have also contacted receiver Chad Jackson, who had a workout at Dove Valley two weeks ago. Jackson is the former University of Florida and NFL combine star who the Broncos coveted before the 2006 draft, when he was taken by New England in the second round.
The team’s biggest concerns, however, are replacing the Bailey brothers and Ramsey. Look for third-string quarterback Darrell Hackney to get promoted from the practice squad to replace Ramsey, who was belted by Patriots defensive lineman Mike Wright late in the first half. Ramsey was filling in for Jay Cutler, who came out with a finger injury.
The Bailey brothers went down in the first half. Boss Bailey, who the Broncos signed to a five-year contract during the offseason, suffered a high ankle sprain on the second play of the first preseason game in Houston and hasn’t been healthy since.
He was replaced by veteran Louis Green against the Patriots, but the Broncos may also start getting rookie Wesley Woodyard ready to play.
Champ Bailey pulled up lame late in the first half while covering Patriots receiver Randy Moss. The Broncos new left cornerback will be rookie Jack Williams or fourth-year veteran Karl Paymah.
The only official roster move the Broncos made Tuesday was to release defensive tackle Steven Harris from their practice squad.
Mike Klis: 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com
