Denver Broncos

Broncos ILB Trevathan has 'someone else's kneecap'

Published Jun. 18, 2015 12:05 a.m. ET

foxsports

Danny Trevathan's kneecap kept the Broncos' defender off the field for most of 2014.

So, the inside linebacker approached his ailments in the offseason like any tough linebacker would.

"I've got a new kneecap," Trevathan told 9News Denver. "The old one is gone. I've got somebody else's kneecap -- it was difficult because it was a bigger knee. I love the scar, though."

Trevathan won't be so easily replaced in the center of the Broncos' defense. New defensive coordinator Wade Phillips is counting on the veteran to return from not one, but two knee fractures suffered in 2014.

Until he fully heals, reserves like Todd Davis will man his spot. That's not necessarily a position Phillips wants to be in when the Baltimore Ravens come to town in September.

Instead, Phillips would rather have the leading tackler back from 2013's Super Bowl run. And Trevathan is pushing his new kneecap to its limits in order to come through for his team.

"Anything can happen any given Sunday," he said. All you can do is lay it all out there, have no fear. Just take your treatment serious and have fun."

(h/t 9News Denver)