A tough break for linebacker Levelle Bailey. After breaking his leg in the Denver Broncos first preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons, the team has moved him to waive/injured designation that will revert to season-ending injured reserve. This was expected after Denver signed safety Taylor Rapp earlier today.
Bailey has been on the rise over the last two offseasons. Scotty Payne had noted he was a breakout performer during last year’s training camp, but he’ll have his season cut short in 2026.
Bailey was a breakout performer for the Broncos during training camp and received plenty of first-team reps while Dre Greenlaw and Alex Singleton were sidelined due to injuries. He was making plays, received starts during the preseason, and frankly, seemed like someone who locked up a spot on the 53-man roster and potentially a role on defense.
Another inside linebacker has been making a name for himself during camp in rookie Red Murdock. The position group has been considered a bit thin and the loss of Bailey won’t help that, but Murdock has received some good praise from the coaching staff and that could give Denver a bit of reprieve after this injury.
Denver will host the Green Bay Packers on Friday. We’ll see how Bailey’s season-ending injury will change up the snap counts along the inside linebacker position group then.
