The most impressive feature of the Denver Broncos' Super Bowl run was that they did it with a host of key players on the shelf.
The major surgeries of All-Pros Von Miller and Ryan Clady made plenty of headlines, but it was the acute compartment syndrome in safety Rahim Moore's lower leg that was the most serious injury.
Moore was sent to the hospital in November after pressure had built to extreme levels in the muscles of his calf, causing blood flow to become restricted and cells to die off.
Doctors told Moore that amputation and even death were looming had he waited one more day to seek medical help.
"You are not cutting my leg off," Moore told doctors, per TheMMQB.com's Joan Neisen. "That's not happening."
Doctors ended up performing a fasciotomy to release the pressure and clean out dead or dying muscle. A week later, Moore needed a follow-up procedure that ruined any chance of returning for the playoffs.
"I didn't know if I would ever walk again," Moore said. "I didn't know if I would ever be the Rahim that I know I can be, and also be able to have the footwork and be swift and things like that."
Although he's now sporting a 13-inch scar on his lower leg, Moore is facing odds of less than 15 percent that the compartment syndrome will reoccur. By all accounts, he has made a complete recovery six months after suffering the rare condition.
Even with the high-profile additions of hard-hitting safety T.J. Ward and cornerback Aqib Talib, the Broncos need Moore's speed and range as a centerfielder in the secondary.
If Denver makes another Super Bowl run, it's good to know Moore will have a fair shot at redemption two years after his coverage mistake led to Jacoby Jones' game-changing touchdown in the playoff loss to the Ravens.
The latest "Around The League Podcast" breaks down the news and discusses players who could be summertime trade targets.
