Denver Broncos Cornerback Champ Bailey Ruled Out for Thursday

The Denver Broncos will be without star cornerback Champ Bailey tomorrow night in the NFL's 2013 season opener, Mike Klis of the Denver Post first reported (via MHR).

Bailey (foot) has not participated in practice all week and has missed most of the preseason.  In Bailey's absence, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie will start at cornerback, likely across from Tony Carter with Chris Harris Jr. providing coverage in the slot in nickel packages.

Even without Bailey, the Broncos are currently 7.5-point favorites over the Baltimore Ravens.  The game will mark the first time the two teams have faced off since Baltimore knocked the Broncos out of the 2012 playoffs earlier this year. 

Meanwhile, wide receiver Wes Welker (ankle) has fully participated in practice this week and is expected to be able to play tomorrow night.  Kickoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET.

Denver Broncos Claim Rookie Cornerback Nigel Malone Off Waivers

After learning on Wednesday that cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie will miss four-to-five weeks with a high ankle sprain, the Denver Broncos turned to the waiver wire to bring in additional depth.

The #Broncos have been assigned CB Nigel Malone via waivers from Pittsburgh.
— Denver Broncos (@DenverBroncos) August 1, 2013

The team signed Nigel Malone (5'10", 180 pounds), an undrafted rookie out of Kansas State University that was waived by the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday.  In his final two seasons, Malone recorded 12 interceptions as a Wildcat.

The Broncos are already deep at the cornerback position, so Malone will face an uphill battle to make the final roster.  For now, he will provide camp depth in the secondary.

O'Reilly: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie Out 4-5 Weeks With Ankle Injury

On Wednesday, Denver Broncos cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was carted off the field at Dove Valley with what an MRI later revealed to be a high ankle sprain.

"He has done it before, so I am not overly (concerned)," Broncos coach John Fox told USA Today after practice.  "We will just get him healthy and get him back out there."

According to Steven O'Reilly, a Florida-based golf professional who plays flag football with Rodgers-Cromartie in the offseason, DRC will be out approximately four-to-five weeks.

Tweeted O'Reilly on Wednesday afternoon:

Texted with DRC, he's in good spirits, said high ankle sprain, about a month to 5 weeks. Nothing too major
— Steven O'Reilly (@SteveOReilly) July 31, 2013

High ankle sprains are hard to predict, but if DRC does end up being out for five weeks, that would put him on track to return on September 4, a day before the team's season opener against the Baltimore Ravens.

Right now, a realistic date to expect DRC's return by could be the team's Week 2 match on the road against the New York Giants.  In DRC's absence, Chris Harris Jr. is expected to play across from Champ Bailey.