Broncos' Rahim Moore Undergoes Emergency Surgery

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP/CBS4) - Broncos safety Rahim Moore underwent emergency surgery Monday for a condition known as lateral compartment syndrome that can cost patients a limb or even their life.

Moore is out indefinitely.

Moore left the Broncos' 27-17 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in the first half Sunday night after being unable to accelerate on Jamaal Charles' 35-yard run. He was replaced by veteran Mike Adams.

DR. DAVE HNIDA'S BLOG: The Rare And Possibly Season Ending Injury Of Rahim Moore

The Broncos said he had a lower leg injury and removed him from the game.

During the night, Moore called the team's athletic trainer because he was still experiencing pain and swelling and was told to see a doctor, who determined he needed what's called a fasciotomy.

That's where a surgeon cuts open the skin and fascia covering the affected compartment, which are groupings of muscles, nerves and blood vessels.

Compartment syndrome develops when swelling or bleeding occurs within a compartment, which the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says can be caused by athletic exertion. It's rarely seen in football players, however.

"I've never heard of this thing. I'm not really aware of it. I really can't speak to it at all. I don't have a background with this injury. I don't have anybody that has ever had this injury," interim head coach Jack Del Rio said. "It's a new one for me. I'm learning about it. I had to write it down so I can say it properly. It's just one of these kinds of freakish things that can occur—and it did."

Moore has had a resurgent season after being the goat in Denver's double-overtime loss to Baltimore in the playoffs last year. He allowed Jacoby Jones' 70-yard touchdown catch in the final minute of regulation in that game when he went for the interception instead of the tackle and mistimed his leap at the 20-yard line.

This year, he has 44 tackles and two interceptions.

- By Arnie Stapleton, AP Sports Writer

CBS4 staff contributed to this report.

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)