8 free agent linebackers Broncos could sign after Levelle Bailey injury

The Denver Broncos could use some experienced depth at inside linebacker.

Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad are the team's locked-in starters, but both of them have battled various injuries in their careers, and the Broncos' options behind them are unproven.

Levelle Bailey, who was the team's most experienced backup with 13 career appearances over two seasons, broke his leg in Friday's preseason opener. Denver is now left with second-year linebackers Karene Reid and Jordan Turner (who is coming back from injury), plus rookies Red Murdock and Taurean York as their backup options.

The Broncos would be wise to shore up their linebacker depth by adding an experienced veteran behind Singleton and Strnad. Here's a quick look at eight options the team could consider.

1. Kenneth Murray (27): A former first-round pick, Murray has 497 tackles and 9.5 sacks in 90 career games (83 starts). He started 16 games with the Dallas Cowboys last fall.

2. Bobby Okereke (30): He has 805 tackles and 7.5 sacks in 110 games (95 starts). Okereke started all 17 games with the New York Giants in 2025.

3. Germaine Pratt (30): The long-time Cincinnati Bengal has recorded 742 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 112 games (104 starts). He started 12 games with the Indianapolis Colts last season.

4. Matt Milano (32): A former All-Pro and Pro Bowler, Milano has totaled 571 tackles and 14 sacks in 106 games (90 starts). He spent the first nine years of his career with the Buffalo Bills, starting 12 games in 2025.

5. Josey Jewell (31): He spent the first six years of his career in Denver before joining the Carolina Panthers in 2024. He was released during the offseason in 2025 so he could focus on lingering concussion symptoms. It's unclear if Jewell will return to football.

6. Shaq Thompson (32): He has recorded 808 tackles and 13 sacks in 135 career games (118 starts). Thompson started six games in Buffalo last fall.

7. Eric Kendricks (34): A former All-Pro and Pro Bowler, Kendricks was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings when current Broncos general manager George Paton was a member of Minnesota's front office. Kendricks has recorded 1,180 tackles and 21.5 sacks in 150 games (143 starts). He joined the San Francisco 49ers' practice squad last November and appeared in three games in 2025.

8. Bobby Wagner (36): A Super Bowl champion, 11-time All-Pro and 10-time Pro Bowler, Wagner needs no introduction. With 2,000 career tackles and 39.5 sacks in 219 games (217 starts), Wagner is entering Year 15 as a pro. He started all 17 games with the Washington Commanders last fall and likely wants to join a contender in 2026. Wagner might be holding out for a starting job, but Denver should still check in.

If the Broncos place Bailey on injured reserve before the 53-man roster deadline, he will be ruled out for the 2026 season. So it wouldn't be surprising to see Bailey remain on the 91-man offseason roster for the rest of preseason so he can be designated to return from IR when the active roster is set. If that's the case, Denver will need to make a different roster move to make room for any arriving linebackers.

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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: 8 free agent linebackers Broncos could sign after Levelle Bailey injury