The Denver Broncos have been making national headlines since last week’s draft, but now they’re in the news for a much more troubling reason. Ryan Clady, the team’s 6-foot-6-inch, 325-pound offensive line anchor, tore the left patellar tendon in his left knee playing basketball last Saturday and could be out of action for four months. But, the Denver Post (free registration required) reports Clady has already had surgery to repair the knee and could be available for the team’s regular-season opener Sept. 12 in Jacksonville against the Jaguars. The Broncos did use a draft pick last week on Zane Beadles, an offensive tackle from Utah, but it’s unlikely he can step in at left tackle for Clady, arguably the most important spot on the offensive line. The Post says former Cherry Creek High School star Tyler Polumbus may see time as Clady’s replacement, as could former Notre Dame tackle Ryan Harris, who was the Broncos’ starting right tackle until he fractured his big toe last year. The Broncos could also pursue a free agent left tackle, such as Flozell Adams or Jamaal Brown, according to Mile High Report, but either one would be a significant talent downgrade from Clady. Mile High Report also ponders whether Clady will be asked to forfeit salary for playing contact sports outside of team-sanctioned activity, but it’s unclear how the Broncos will handle that.

Meanwhile, rookie quarterback Tim Tebow continues to make headlines as the debate continues over his potential as an NFL quarterback. MSNBC says it’ll be “years” before Tebow will be an effective NFL quarterback, if ever, but Woody Paige at The Denver Post says Tebow is the Broncos’ future. The debate isn’t going anywhere soon, but one thing beyond dispute is that Tebow is popular. His rookie jersey at NFL.com is the best-selling rookie jersey since the NFL updated its online shopping presence, according to the Tampa Tribune. Whether that means he’s good for the Broncos is another story, but at least he has some support out there.