Broncos LBs Bailey, Green to miss time

Aug 12, 2008 - 5:20 AM ENGLEWOOD, Colorado (Ticker) - The Denver Broncos absorbed a double hit to their linebacker corps Monday.

Boss Bailey and Louis Green, who were injured in Saturday's preseason opener against the Houston Texans, could miss the remainder of the preseason.

Bailey, who signed as a free agent with Denver in the offseason following five seasons with the Detroit Lions, was on crutches Monday with what coach Mike Shanahan said was a high ankle sprain.

"I'm really not sure how long it will be. He'll be in a lot of treatment, and as soon as he's ready, he'll be back. We're hoping for sure for the regular-season opener," Shanahan said. "High ankle sprains - sometimes they are worse than a broken ankle, and other times they are back in a couple of weeks. We will keep our fingers crossed."

The prognosis is a bit less clear but decidedly upbeat for Green, who was taken off the field on a stretcher with a neck injury and concussion Saturday night.

"Louis Green is much better. He will not play this week," Shanahan said. "Hopefully, he gets cleared at the end of this week and the numbness goes away and the tingling sensation that he has in his fingers goes away. If it does, then he will be ready to go."

Green said he felt he could have walked off the field after the injury, but took the cautious approach recommended by the team's trainers.

"They said it was best to just go to the hospital and get it checked out, but I'm fine," Green said Monday. "I'm doing good. It's just day-to-day. I still have a little weakness on my left arm and a little soreness. It just takes a little time. Hopefully, it's not too long and I can get back on the field."