ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – A person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Monday that linebacker Joe Mays is likely out for the season after suffering a serious injury to his lower left leg in the Denver Broncos' 34-14 win over the New Orleans Saints.
The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because coach John Fox hadn't yet addressed the media Monday. The Denver Post first reported the extent of Mays' injury, saying he sustained a fractured fibula just above his left ankle.
Mays was injured while blocking for punt returner Trindon Holliday in the fourth quarter Sunday night when a Saints player inadvertently leg-whipped him, and he had to be helped off the field.
Mays has had a rough season since signing a three-year, $12 million deal in the offseason. He was suspended for a game and docked $50,000 for an illegal hit on Houston QB Matt Schaub and lost his starting middle linebacker job two weeks ago to veteran Keith Brooking.
That relegated Mays, who was making $4.5 million this season, to special teams duty.
The Broncos could promote Mike Mohamed from their practice squad to take Mays' roster spot. They'll also get D.J. Williams back from his second suspension in a couple of weeks.
The team's leading tackler in four of the last five seasons, Williams is serving an NFL-mandated three-game ban over his August conviction for driving while ability impaired. This is on top of the six-game suspension he completed for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances. He's eligible to return for the Broncos' game Nov. 18 against San Diego.
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