The reigning Super Bowl champion Broncos will be without starting defensive end Vance Walker this season after he tore his ACL in practice Monday.
Walker, a seventh-round draft pick by the Falcons in 2009, recorded 33 tackles and two sacks last season for the Broncos. He was expected to replace Malik Jackson, who signed a huge contract with the Jaguars in March.
MORE: Cam Newton's kind gesture toward homeless man
"We think the world of Vance and he was having a great camp," coach Gary Kubiak said, via the team's official website. "We'll support him through his recovery, and he'll come back stronger than ever."
Free-agent addition Jared Crick and second-round pick Adam Gotsis likely will compete for the starting spot with Walker out.