By STEPHEN MONAHAN
Register Staff Writer
Former Gainesville Leopards standout and Denver Broncos rookie defensive back Darcel McBath was put on the injured reserve following Sunday’s 28-16 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, according to various reports.
McBath broke his right forearm in the fourth quarter of the game in Indianapolis and is now out for the season after being placed on IR on Monday, according to reports.
McBath had replaced injured starting safety Renaldo Hill after he went out with an injury earlier in the game, according to ESPN.com.
The former Texas Tech Red Raider was a second-round draft pick in the 2009 NFL Draft and has made impressions on his head coach Josh McDaniels.
In the ESPN.com article McDaniels said his rookie safety was a “big part of our special teams. He's the personal protecter on the punt team, which is no small chore. He handles all the communication there. He's our leading tackler, very unselfish, plays great on all of the teams. He has been a great addition in that regard and he will be missed in that sense.”
McBath had 26 total tackles on the season with two interceptions, one of which came against Peyton Manning and the Colts in Sunday’s loss.
Replacing the injured McBath will be Vernon Fox, who the Broncos signed after learning the former Gainesville Leopard will be lost for the season, according to ESPN.com
The Broncos (8-5) are in the midst of a heated playoff race in the AFC West as they are now two games back of the San Diego Chargers.
