Cornerback Champ Bailey sprained his foot a couple of weeks ago in a preseason game against the Seahawks, leading to crutches, a walking boot and uncertainty about his status for the season opener.
Bailey has ditched the crutches and boot and was back at practice on Sunday. Coach John Fox didn’t do much to eliminate or lessen the uncertainty about his status, saying only that Bailey practiced and that any injury updates would come when the team begins releasing injury reports this week. Defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson was a bit more forthcoming with his own opinion about Bailey’s return.
“It’s excellent,” Vickerson said, via the Denver Post. “Seeing him walking is knowing that he’s close to getting healed, so it’s all the [better] for this defense for him to come back and help.”
Part of the reason that the Broncos kept 11 defensive backs on their roster was because Bailey’s status for Thursday was up in the air, so they’re prepared for the decision to go either way as to the veteran’s availability against the Ravens. Getting Bailey on the practice field Sunday is a definite step toward his presence in the lineup, however.
