Kyle

McCarthy

Provided McCarthy clears waivers, he’ll be placed on injured reserve, ending his season. McCarthy sustained the apparently serious knee injury during Saturday’s training camp practice. It’s unclear if this knee injury is related to the one he sustained with the Broncos in 2010. The former undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame was trying to crack the roster as a special teamer.

Undrafted out of Notre Dame in 2010, McCarthy has recorded seven tackles in 12 games as a special teamer in Denver the past two seasons.

Purely a special teamer, McCarthy recorded one tackle in two games since his late November promotion. The Broncos will go with Tony Carter instead.

Waived just four days ago, McCarthy should see some snaps on special teams against the Patriots.

A former undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame, McCarthy will see action only on special teams if he’s active in any of the final five games.

McCarthy also suffered a major knee injury in 2010. “His knee doesn’t look good,” said coach Romeo Crennel. “We’ll have to let the swelling go down and see where it leads us, but it’s one of those things in football that happens.”

The Broncos are thin at linebacker with Robert Ayers and Wesley Woodyard both ruled out. Brian Dawkins will also be sidelined for the team’s Week 6 matchup against the Jets. RB Andre Brown was waived to open up one roster spot, and another move is expected sometime Saturday.

It’s not a surprise, as the injury looked serious. The undrafted rookie played in eight games this season, making four tackles.

The extent of McCarthy’s injury isn’t known, but it’s probably safe to assume that he has ligament damage considering the Broncos’ actions. McCarthy is under control through 2011. He’ll have to fight for a roster spot under a new coaching staff while likely coming off reconstructive knee surgery.

He was carted off the field. McCarthy is an undrafted rookie out of Notre Dame. The Broncos are perilously thin at safety at this point in the year.