Darrell Reid, a Broncos backup linebacker, invaluable special-teams player and a strong locker room presence, underwent surgery this week on his left knee.
He will miss the entire offseason, although the Broncos hope he will be recovered in time for the start of training camp in July.
Reid, who finished third on the 2009 team with four sacks, suffered extensive cartilage damage in his knee and had sought several medical opinions at season’s end. He bypassed microfracture surgery, opting instead for a unique operating procedure that had only been performed on one other NFL player.
After playing four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts as a special-teams contributor and backup defensive tackle, Reid became a free agent last year and signed a three-year, $6.8 million deal with the Broncos, who moved him to outside linebacker in their 3-4 defensive system.
Mike Klis: 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com
