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Denver Broncos leading tackler Danny Trevathan is out six to eight weeks after fracturing his left knee during a particularly intense padded practice Tuesday.
The Broncos said their weakside linebacker has what's called a medial tibial impaction fracture but, fortunately, no torn ligaments.
Trevathan, who didn't put any weight on his left leg after being carted off the field during team drills, is expected to return to the Broncos right around their bye week in late September, meaning he'd only miss three regular season games, at most.
He was hurt on an 11-on-11 run play in which center Will Montgomery rolled over him.
Trevathan, a sixth-round draft choice out of Kentucky in 2012, is coming off a breakout season in which he led the Broncos with 124 tackles and picked off three passes before leading the team with two dozen tackles in the playoffs.
"You just hate it," Peyton Manning said while Trevathan was being examined by the team's medical staff. "You hate it in a game when you see that. And you hate it out here in practice. So, our prayers are with Danny. We're praying for positive results and hopefully he's OK. He's an important part of our football team."
Brandon Marshall, an undrafted third-year pro from Nevada who spent most of last season on Denver's practice squad before being promoted to the active roster and playing in the regular season finale and all three playoff games, is expected to fill in for Trevathan.
Around the league
Browns • Cleveland signed unrestricted free-agent quarterback Rex Grossman and waived quarterback Tyler Thigpen. The 33-year-old Grossman is entering his 12th year in the NFL and joins a team where Brian Hoyer and Johnny Manziel are vying for the starting job. Grossman spent the past four seasons with Washington, but hasn't played in the regular season since 2011.
Texans • Houston is giving Ronnie Brown an opportunity to continue his career. The 32-year-old Brown joined the Texans in a reshuffling of the lineup of running backs behind Arian Foster. Houston also added William Powell and cut Andre Brown, Dennis Johnson and Tim Cornett. The second overall pick by Miami in 2005, Brown had only 91 carries over the past two seasons in San Diego.
Seahawks • The team says accusations that star running back Marshawn Lynch was involved in an assault and damage of personal property are "bogus." In a statement Tuesday morning the team says it has "the utmost respect for the investigative process," but that after speaking with Lynch the Seahawks concluded the allegations were without merit.
The Bellevue Police Department is investigating an incident involving Lynch early Sunday. The incident was reported by a female about 12 hours after it allegedly took place at a downtown Bellevue apartment. Police say there was no domestic violence or sexual assault involved in the allegation.
Packers • Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is expected to make his 2014 debut on Saturday at St. Louis. Rodgers missed the preseason opener at Tennessee.