Champ Bailey Snags Interception In Practice, May Make Season Debut Against Jags

Broncos defensive back Champ Bailey (24) during mini camp drills at the Broncos training facility. (Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)

It looks like Champ Bailey is ready to make his return against the Jacksonville Jaguars this week after suffering a foot injury in preseason and being sidelined ever since.

Bailey was back in full pads, and he reportedly had an interception during Wednesday’s practice.

“It felt good,” safety Duke Ihenacho said of Bailey being back at practice. “You could just kind of tell the difference with communication with him. He’s a veteran. He’s seen every play in the book. He sniffs out plays better than I’ve seen anybody sniff out plays…He really gives us a heads up before the play happens so everybody plays faster.”

The Broncos lost cornerback Chris Harris last week to a concussion, and he didn’t participate in practice other than a few individual drills so it could really benefit the Broncos to have Bailey back on Sunday.

Bailey is still a question mark for this week’s game. He was listed as “questionable” last week , which meant he had a 50-50 chance of playing. If he’s listed as “probable”, he’s virtually certain to be active on Sunday.

Even with Harris likely out this week, is it worth putting Bailey out there? The Broncos seemingly have this win locked up, at least on paper and over in the Vegas desert. Should the Broncos rest Bailey and that nagging foot injury on Sunday, give him another full week of practicing in pads, and then launch him against the Indianapolis Colts in week seven?

You be the judge.

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