The Broncos have lost some depth at inside linebacker with Levelle Bailey out for a substantial period.

A source said Saturday that Bailey suffered a broken leg in the first half of Friday night’s 27-7 win at Atlanta in the preseason opener. The 25-year-old will have surgery.

Bailey is in his third season after signing with the Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2024 out of Fresno State. He got into 10 games in 2024 and three in 2025 while spending the season on the practice squad.

Bailey was actually Denver’s most experienced inside linebacker after starters Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad. His absence leaves the Broncos with second-year men Karene Reid and Jordan Turner and rookies Red Murdock and Taurean York battling for time in a reserve role.

Reid got into 10 games last season as an undrafted rookie out of Utah. He had a deflected pass that led to Broncos cornerback Jahdae Barron returning an interception 97 yards for a touchdown late in Friday’s first half.

“Every opportunity that I get means a lot to me,’’ Reid said after the game.

Turner got into seven games last season as an undrafted rookie out of Michigan State. He began training camp on the non-football injury list before returning to practice last Monday. He was limited in practice during the week and didn’t play against the Falcons.

Murdock is a seventh-round pick out of Buffalo. He had a strong preseason debut at Atlanta, leading the team with eight tackles while playing 47 defensive snaps and 12 on special teams.

York, undrafted out of Texas A&M, got in for 22 snaps against the Falcons on defense and 15 on special teams. He had two tackles, including one for loss.

Broncos coach Sean Payton talked at the NFL owners meetings in Phoenix in March about giving outside linebacker Jonah Elliss more snaps inside before saying in June that Elliss would mostly stay on the outside. It remains to be seen if there could be any change in Elliss’ status.