NFL PLAYER NEWS

Broncos LB Davis carted off at 1st camp practice

Field Level Media

July 19, 2019 at 1:58 am.

Dec 15, 2018; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos inside linebacker Todd Davis (51) sacks Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) in the second quarter at Broncos Stadium at Mile High. Photo Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 15, 2018; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos inside linebacker Todd Davis (51) sacks Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) in the second quarter at Broncos Stadium at Mile High. Photo Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Broncos saw one of their defensive starters get carted off the field on the opening practice of training camp, but the team may have dodged a serious injury.

Inside linebacker Todd Davis, the Broncos’ leading tackler last season, went down to injury Thursday in Englewood, Colo., but he is expected to miss only three to four weeks, according to multiple media outlets.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero later reported that an MRI showed a partially torn calf muscle, but the timetable should allow Davis to return to action before the start of the regular season.

“It was the very last one rep (with starters on the field) I had of the whole day. The very last play,” Davis said, per 9News in Denver. “I went to plant and run towards the ball. The ball was thrown, and I just felt something kind of pull in my calf. Nothing major happened.”

The 27-year-old, a full-time starter for the past three seasons in Denver, enjoyed a career year in 2018, recording personal bests in tackles, passes defensed (seven), tackles for loss (six) and quarterback hits (five).

Originally a rookie waiver pickup by the Broncos after the New Orleans Saints signed him as an undrafted free agent out of Sacramento State in 2014, Davis has played in all 16 games in three of the past four seasons. For his career, Davis has 338 tackles, two sacks and one interception in 71 games (49 starts).

Davis is expected to be a key ingredient in new head coach Vic Fangio’s defense this season as the Broncos come off a 6-10 campaign, one in which they ended the season by dropping their final four games.