The Denver Broncos have announced that they have placed safety Rahim Moore on their injured reserve - designated to return list.
The 23-year-old sustained a leg injury during the first quarter of his side's win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday and was forced to leave the field.
After a series of tests Moore was diagnosed with lateral compartment syndrome and was forced to have an operation on Monday, so the team placed him on IR return, which will rule him out of the regular season.
Moore will be forced to miss the next eight weeks of games, which could see him return for the AFC Championship game if the Broncos advance that far in the playoffs.
The Broncos' vice-president of football operations John Elway told the club's official website: "Obviously it hurts to lose Rahim. He's been playing so well, but to be able to have this happen to him is terrible. But we have to battle through that.
"Rahim I know is upset as anybody. So we had to put him on injured reserve with a designation to return so if he could come back he would be eligible to come back if we were to make it that far for the championship games."
The Broncos face the New England Patriots in week 12.
