3 Big Broncos Starters With Injuries, 1 Could Be Out For Season

By Rich Kurtzman

Starting defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson dislocated his hip on Sunday night, which could end his season. He wasn't the only player to be hurt in the loss, as Knowshon Moreno and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie were also injured, but unlike Vickerson, Moreno and DRC should be good to go soon.

Kevin Vickerson #99 of the Denver Broncos (Credit, Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Denver is Down a Defensive Tackle

Multiple media reported Tuesday that Denver DT Kevin Vickerson has a dislocated hip, which he sustained in the loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday Night Football.

Vickerson, who had started all 11 games for the men in orange and blue, will reportedly miss a minimum of six weeks and will likely be placed on the season-ending injured reserve according to Mike Klis of the Denver Post. An eight-year veteran, he's one of the team's more senior players along that front four, teaming up with fellow seasoned vet Terrance Knighton to create a punishing one-two punch in the middle. Vickerson has 22 tackles and one sack, and as a consistent threat to stuff the run or pressure the quarterback, he'll be missed.

In Vickerson's place will likely be rookie defensive tackle Sylvester Williams, who has had little impact on the team, being buried on the bench up until this point.

Talk about adding injury to insult

The Broncos walked away from New England a bruised and battered team, both in physical terms as well as mental. After taking a commanding 24-0 lead in the first half, Denver fell apart, giving up 31 straight points to the Patriots before mounting a late fourth quarter drive to tie the game up at 31. Then, in overtime, after it seemed the game was destined to end in a tie, backup defensive back Tony Carter ran into a bouncing punt, only to have it spring off of his arm and into a New England player's awaiting arms.

Patriots' kicker Stephen Gostowski kicked the game-winning field goal as the Broncos fell to 9-2 on the season, deadlocked in a tie with the Kansas City Chiefs, who they face this Sunday.

Unfortunately, Vickerson's injury wasn't the only one suffered by a Denver starter.

Knowshon Moreno, who carried the team through their poorest passing performance of the season, ended with a career-high 37 carries and 224 rushing yards, but also injured an ankle along the way. Despite wearing a boot following the loss, Moreno is "day-to-day" according to interim head coach Jack Del Rio in his Monday press conference.

Also "day-to-day" is starting cornerback extraordinaire Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. DRC dove for an errant pass on the last play of the first half, apparently jamming his shoulder, hurting it, but nothing severe enough to need surgery.

For more Broncos news and updates, visit Broncos Central.

Rich Kurtzman is a Denver native, Colorado State University alumnus, sports nerd, athletics enthusiast, and competition junkie. Currently writing for a multitude of websites while working on books, one on the history of the Denver Broncos and Mile High Stadium. Rich is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com.