Broncos injury news: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie out to start 2nd half

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

UPDATE 11/24/13 8:36 P.M. MST – Well, that sense of relief didn’t last long. Mike Klis of the Denver Post reports that Rodgers- Cromartie has been downgraded all the way from probable to out.

You really cannot overstate what bad news this is for the Broncos, especially with the Patriots just scoring another TD to make it a 24-14 game. The burden will now fall on Chris Harris, Jr. and rooke Kayvon Webster.

UPDATE 11/24/13 8:30 P.M. MST – it sounds like Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie‘s injury is not serious. He is probable to return with a shoulder injury.

By taking advantage of turnovers and running the ball up and down the field, the Denver Broncos took a 24-0 lead into the locker room at halftime of tonight’s showdown with the New England Patriots. The half ended on a wonky series of events, with Trindon Holliday muffing a punt and setting up a failed Hail Mary attempt by Tom Brady as time expired. This would normally be no big deal.

But in this case, the pass fluttered and fell woefully short of the end zone. Instincts took over for cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who dove in an attempt to snare a meaningless interception. He then stayed on the turf, clearly in pain after landing awkwardly.

At the very least that visual dumped some cold water on the excitement of the first half. DRC was nowhere to be found to start the second half, and on that very first drive Brady and the Pats marched down the field for a touchdown. For this game, the Broncos need their best corner to make sure they squash any hopes of a New England comeback. But if this injury is serious, Denver’s problems extend well beyond this week.

Some updates from Twitter.

Stay tuned to Mile High Maniac for all the latest.