Denver, CO (Sports Network) - Denver Broncos center J.D. Walton will miss the
remainder of the 2012 season after fracturing his ankle during Sunday's game
against the Oakland Raiders.
Walton suffered the injury during the second quarter of Denver's 37-6 victory
over the Raiders and was placed on injured reserve on Monday. Prior to exiting
the contest, the 2010 third-round draft pick had missed only one snap in
starting all 36 contests for the Broncos since entering the NFL.
Veteran Dan Koppen, signed by Denver following Week 1, will step into Walton's
post and provides an experienced alternative, having made 120 regular-season
starts over a nine-year stint with the New England Patriots from 2003-11. The
33-year-old was a part of 107 total victories during his tenure in New
England.
To take Walton's place on the active roster, the Broncos reinstated Joe Mays
from the suspended list. The starting middle linebacker was handed a one-game
ban by the league for an illegal hit on Houston quarterback Matt Schaub during
Week 3 and served the penalty on Sunday.
The Sports Network