Elway: Champ Bailey ‘Likely’ to Play Sunday vs. Giants

May 20, 2013; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos defensive back Champ Bailey (24) speaks to the media following organized team activities at the Broncos training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Denver Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey hasn’t practiced in a long, long time, but that probably isn’t going to stop him from playing against the New York Giants on Sunday afternoon at the Meadowlands.

According to Broncos VP of Football Operations John Elway, Bailey should make his season debut, saying the future Hall of Fame cornerback is “likely” to play despite not practicing at all this week.

Bailey has been out for quite a long bit of time with a foot injury, and missed the team’s season-opening victory against the Baltimore Ravens. Our best guess is that Bailey is going to be considered questionable leading up to the game, but there’s been little doubt that he will play.

In all likelihood, Bailey is getting a bit of the veteran treatment, as he really doesn’t need the formality of practice at this point. It would be nice to have the knowledge that he is out on the field, running around with his teammates, but Bailey wouldn’t play if he wasn’t feeling well enough to do so.

This is a big matchup for the Broncos, going up against Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz, and Rueben Randle in a very, very talented WR group for the Giants. If Bailey is able to play and play at a high level, he’s going to be a huge boost for the Denver secondary and defense in general, which is missing his veteran leadership.