Broncos waived/injured ILB Levelle Bailey

ENGLEWOOD, CO - AUGUST 1: Levelle Bailey #56 of the Denver Broncos participates in training camp at Broncos Park Powered by CommonSpirit on August 1, 2026 in Englewood, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) | Getty Images

A tough break for linebacker Levelle Bailey. After breaking his leg in the Denver Broncos first preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons, the team has moved him to waive/injured designation that will revert to season-ending injured reserve. This was expected after Denver signed safety Taylor Rapp earlier today.

Per source, the #Broncos waived/injured ILB Levelle Bailey today. He will revert to season-ending IR, a move expected after he suffered broken lower leg in preseason game at Atlanta last week.

- MikeKlis9NEWS (@mikeklis9news) August 20, 2026

Bailey has been on the rise over the last two offseasons. Scotty Payne had noted he was a breakout performer during last year's training camp, but he'll have his season cut short in 2026.

Bailey was a breakout performer for the Broncos during training camp and received plenty of first-team reps while Dre Greenlaw and Alex Singleton were sidelined due to injuries. He was making plays, received starts during the preseason, and frankly, seemed like someone who locked up a spot on the 53-man roster and potentially a role on defense.

Another inside linebacker has been making a name for himself during camp in rookie Red Murdock. The position group has been considered a bit thin and the loss of Bailey won't help that, but Murdock has received some good praise from the coaching staff and that could give Denver a bit of reprieve after this injury.

Denver will host the Green Bay Packers on Friday. We'll see how Bailey's season-ending injury will change up the snap counts along the inside linebacker position group then.