Denver Broncos Danny Trevathan knee injury

Denver Broncos linebacker Danny Trevathan promised not to hold back when he returned from a second fracture in his left leg and ”if I break something else,” then so be it. ”But I’m going to be back out there on that field rocking with them ’til it’s over.”

Trevathan’s season is over.

An MRI on Monday confirmed he dislocated his left kneecap in Denver’s 22-10 win at San Diego on Sunday that clinched a playoff spot for the Broncos (11-3).

It was his first game since Oct. 12, when he fractured the bone near his left kneecap - but in a different area than the original fracture, which occurred when center Will Montgomery rolled over him Aug. 12 in training camp.

”Danny’s had a rough season,” coach John Fox said. ”Sometimes setbacks are setups for better things to come and that will be his mind-set as he gets ready for surgery and then gets ready for the pretty strenuous rehab.”

Linebacker Brandon Marshall is expected to miss the rest of the regular season with a sprained right foot, and both Peyton Manning and left tackle Ryan Clady are dealing with thigh injuries. Manning attributed his injury to dehydration after he caught a nasty stomach bug Saturday night.

”He feels much better today,” Fox said.

Still, Manning can sure use the three-day respite from practice with the Broncos reconvening Thursday to begin preparations for their game at Cincinnati (9-4-1) Monday night.

When Marshall and Trevathan went out Sunday, Denver’s linebacker corps was reduced to Steven Johnson and special teamer Todd Davis, signed off waivers last month from New Orleans. The Broncos will turn to those two, second-year pro Lerentee McCray and rookies Lamin Barrow and Corey Nelson now.

Denver Broncos Watch