Broncos’ LB Joe Mays Breaks Fibula, Out For Season

Denver Broncos linebacker Joe Mays (51) pressures Chicago Bears quarterback Jason Campbell during an NFL preseason football game in Chicago, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. The Broncos won 31-3. (AP Photo/Daily Herald, John Starks)

The Denver Broncos have remained relatively injury free through the team’s first seven games. Call it a combination of good luck and good off season training, but inevitably someone’s season always seems to take a nose dive because of misfortune – because of the physicality of the sport.

“Joe Mays did leave the game with a left ankle injury that’s being evaluated,” John Fox said after Denver’s 34-14 win over the New Orleans Saints. “We’ll keep you up to speed.”

The evaluation is done and the diagnosis is a broken left fibula, which effectively ends Mays’ season. The injury occurred as Trindon Holliday was returning a punt late in the game.

Mays started the season at middle linebacker, but was replaced by Keith Brooking after the team’s loss to the New England Patriots. Mays has always been one of the hardest working guys on the team. He had 75 tackles in 2011, and was rewarded with a three-year, $12 million contract in the off season. Through six games this year, he had 20 tackles and half a sack.

As much of a reaction as suspended linebacker D.J. Williams draws, his Nov. 18 return will be welcomed.

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