Denver Broncos free safety Rahim Moore (26) returns an interception in the fourth quarter against the Washington Redskins at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Denver Broncos free safety Rahim Moore became the brunt of jokes for his awful blown coverage in last year’s AFC Divisional Round Game that essentially gifted the Baltimore Ravens the win, and it’s a shame that some fans still only remember Moore for that one play and fail to actually watch him play. Because if they did watch Moore, then they would realize that he is a key member of the Broncos defense, and he was actually solid last season. He took an even bigger step this season and was one of the best coverage safeties in the league at the beginning of the 2013 season, but unfortunately his year was cut short by lateral compartment syndrome.
It was an extremely scary situation for Moore, who has not played in a game since Week 11. He stated near the end of the regular season that he would indeed be able to play in the Broncos first playoff game, but that never materialized as Moore wasn’t even a threat to suit up against the San Diego Chargers. With Chris Harris Jr. out with a torn ACL on top of the other litany of injuries the Broncos have suffered through on defense (most prominently Von Miller’s ACL tear), the Broncos defense will be tested to its limits if Moore can’t return.
Unfortunately, that looks like the situation for the Broncos as they look to knock off the New England Patriots this week, as it was reported earlier this week by FOX Sports’s Mike Garafolo that Moore is unlikely to play (he did leave the door open for Moore to play based on further evaluation later in the week).
But now, there is a report stating that Rahim Moore will miss the rest of the playoffs entirely, meaning that two extra weeks wouldn’t even be enough to allow him to play in the Super Bowl. Although it isn’t from a known news source or insider, a report from a popular blog still can’t be discounted, even if the writer in question doesn’t cover the Broncos; this is worth at least keeping an eye on.
According to a source close to Acme Packing Company’s Jason Hirschhorn (SB Nation’s Packers blog), Moore is done for the rest of the playoffs. If true, it’s a significant loss for the Broncos, but it’s one that they have been fighting through for some time now.