Broncos safety Rahim Moore underwent emergency surgery Monday for a condition known as lateral compartment syndrome that can cost patients a limb or even their life.
Moore is out indefinitely.
Moore left the Broncos' 27-17 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in the first half Sunday night after being unable to accelerate on Jamaal Charles' 35-yard run. He was replaced by veteran Mike Adams.
The Broncos said he had a lower leg injury and removed him from the game.
During the night, Moore called the team's athletic trainer because he was still experiencing pain and swelling and was told to see a doctor, who determined he needed what's called a fasciotomy.
That's where a surgeon cuts open the skin and fascia covering the affected compartment, which are groupings of muscles, nerves and blood vessels.
NFL SUSPENDS WALDEN
The NFL has suspended Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Erik Walden for one game in the wake of him head-butting helmetless Titans tight end Delanie Walker in last Thursday night's game at Tennessee. Fox Sports' Jay Glazer was first to report the news on Monday afternoon.
During the second quarter of the game, Walden drew a penalty for unnecessary roughness when he pulled off Walker's helmet and then made contact with his head. Although Walden was not ejected from the game, he was subject to review and subsequent discipline by the league. Walker, who was having his way with the Colts' defense as a receiver, also frustrated Walden by throwing a punch at him, which Walker admitted to doing after the game.
The punishment handed down means Indianapolis will be without Walden for its Week 12 game against former coach Bruce Arians and the Cardinals in Arizona.
While Walker went off on Walden a bit postgame, Walden was most disappointed in how he let down his team at the time. The Colts went on to come back and win, 30-27.
"It was a selfish act," Walden said. "It could have cost my team bigger than I did. I lost my composure. It's something that can't happen. It wasn't really something he did, it was ticky-tack. I can't allow myself to take it that far."
Walden will return to action for the Colts in Week 13, when they host the Titans and when Walker plans to "whup on him again."
GOLDSON SUSPENDED AGAIN
Buccaneers safety Dashon Goldson's latest helmet-to-helmet hit has earned him one-game suspensions from the NFL.
The league announced the punishment Monday.
Goldson was penalized for unnecessary roughness for his hit on a defenseless receiver, Roddy White, against Atlanta on Sunday.
It was Goldson's third such violation this season. He was fined $30,000 for hitting a defenseless player in the head and neck area in Week 1, then was initially suspended for a game for a helmet-to-helmet hit in Week 2. That ban was changed to a $100,000 fine on appeal.
VIKINGS UNSETTLED ON QB
The Minnesota Vikings have begun yet another week without their starting quarterback set.
Christian Ponder lost a fumble and threw two interceptions that led to 17 points for Seattle on Sunday. Matt Cassel replaced him, and he was picked off, too, setting the Seahawks up for a field goal. Josh Freeman was inactive for the game.
Coach Leslie Frazier wasn't ready on Monday to declare who will play this week at Green Bay. He said that may happen Wednesday and that all three quarterbacks are healthy enough to play.
Running back Adrian Peterson is ailing with a sore groin. Frazier said his status for the Packers game is unclear.
Vikings cornerback Josh Robinson broke his sternum and will miss at least four to six weeks.
DOLPHINS COOPERATING
The Miami Dolphins underwent interrogation Monday by an NFL special investigator, although they had already addressed one pressing question: Would they fold on the season?
Answer: No.
New York attorney Ted Wells began interviewing players regarding the harassment case involving tackle Jonathan Martin and suspended guard Richie Incognito. Wells' visit was expected to last at least two or three days, ensuring further distractions for a team trying to keep its season from derailing.
A defeat Sunday would have accelerated the Dolphins' recent tailspin. Instead they beat San Diego 20-16 to improve to 5-5 and remain in the race for an AFC wild-card berth.
"It's going to come down to a tight finish, and we have to win," quarterback Ryan Tannehill said. "We want to win all the rest of our games."
The Dolphins will try to do so while ensnared in the biggest scandal in franchise history. Martin left the team three weeks ago and alleges he was harassed daily by teammates, including Incognito.
On Friday, Martin spent nearly seven hours talking with Wells. Before the attorney began his interviews with other players, he released a statement — his first public comments about the investigation.
Wells was appointed Nov. 6 by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to investigate the Dolphins' workplace and prepare a report that will be made public.
"As we've said from Day One, we're going to fully cooperate," coach Joe Philbin said.
THOMAS INJURY NOT SERIOUS
Denver Broncos tight end Julius Thomas sustained a hyper-extended knee Sunday night, but the injury is not considered to be serious.
Coach Jack Del Rio said that Thomas “has a knee strain” and is day-to-day.
The team also confirmed that Wes Welker has a concussion. His availability for Sunday’s meeting with his former team, the New England Patriots, is not clear right now. Welker has to go through a concussion protocol to be cleared for the game.
NEWSOME ‘FEELING FINE’
Baltimore Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome is “feeling fine” and headed back to Baltimore after a health incident Sunday night in Chicago.
Newsome was taken by ambulance from Soldier Field after the Ravens game against the Chicago Bears. The team said that Newsome “did not feel well.”
According to WNST, Newsome was sweating heavily while riding on the elevator.
Newsome, 57, does not have any known medical conditions.
CARDINALS PLAYOFF CONTENDERS
Carson Palmer did something for the Arizona Cardinals that the great Kurt Warner never did.
Palmer eclipsed the 400-yard mark, passing for 419 yards and two touchdowns in a 27-14 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. It was also the first game all season in which Palmer did not throw an interception. It's the 1-9, Jaguars, yes. But there's more to it than that.
The Cardinals are the prohibitive favorite to clinch the sixth wild card spot in the NFC. Still, they are inexplicably not on the radar.
"Nobody knows it, nobody’s talking about it," Tucker said. "If a team wins six of their first 10 games in the desert, does it make a sound? I think they like it that way."
The Cardinals have now won three straight. They've played solid defense this season and that has carried them.
"Usually you'd rather have people talking about you; you'd rather have that respect," Tucker said. "I bet you head coach Bruce Arians is using the fact that they're not getting any attention to his favor."
FORMER LINEBACKER KILLED
Former NFL linebacker Thomas Howard was killed in a car crash early Monday morning, according to report from KRON 4 News in California.
Howard was 30. He was one of two people who died in the wreck.
According to the report, witnesses said Howard was driving more than 100 miles per hour when he lost control of his vehicle and collided with the back of a semi-truck. Howard was driving a BMW 750Li sedan. His vehicle, according to the California Highway Patrol, was airborne, crossing the center median on the southbound side of Highway 880.
The vehicle hit a Chevrolet Monte Carlo and also crashed into a Honda CRV.
Howard played college football at Texas-El Paso and was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 2006 NFL draft. In 2011, he signed with the Bengals and last month was with the Atlanta Falcons. He was active for two games since Oct. 22, and was released by the Falcons on Nov. 12.
Contributors: Rana L. Cash, David Steele, The Associated Press