Broncos’ Willis McGahee Out 6-8 Weeks With Torn MCL

Willis McGahee (23) runs with the ball during the first quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. (Chris Humphreys-US PRESSWIRE)

The Denver Broncos had remained relatively injury free. That changed in the first half of Sunday’s game against the San Diego Chargers.

Team leading rusher Willis McGahee left the game with a knee injury after rushing for 55 yards on 7 carries. Today, Adam Schefter is reporting that McGahee tore his MCL and will miss 6-8 weeks.

"New England not only team to take hit:@mortreport and I reporting Broncos RB Willis McGahee has a torn MCL, will miss six to eight weeks. – Adam Schefter (Twitter)"

John Fox was asked if he was concerned about losing McGahee following the game.

“We’re concerned about everything,” Fox said. “This is a week-to-week business and profession. We’ve got nothing but a tough division game in Kansas City. We’ve got [RB] Knowshon Moreno that wasn’t active today. We’ve got [RB] Jeremiah Johnson on the practice squad. We’ve got guys that we feel good about. We’d love to have Willis and it’s going to be a blow if we don’t but we feel good about the running back position.”

McGahee suffered a horrendous knee injury a decade ago in the 2002 Fiesta Bowl, so he knows the rehab process all too well. McGahee was 12th in the league in rushing average 73.1 yards per game. He also has four touchdowns on the season.

The Broncos have Ronnie Hillman and Lance Ball to fill in for McGahee. They combined for 78 yards on 18 carries on Sunday. The team still has that special IR designation to put on McGahee so that he can return if and when he’s able to.

The Broncos will likely dress Moreno on game day, and even start him in McGahee’s spot until the team figures out which running back is the most productive. The team also has Jeremiah Johnson who has averaged 5.5 yards per carry in his 14-carry career in the NFL.

1:45 p.m. update:

"Doctors have told Willis McGahee not to put any weight on leg. He will not need surgery and he thinks he can come back in four to six weeks. – Adam Schefter (Twitter)"

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