Broncos’ Rahim Moore has emergency surgery on left leg

Denver Broncos safety Rahim Moore underwent emergency surgery Monday to stanch bleeding in the muscle sheath in his lower left leg, a condition known as lateral compartment syndrome that can cost patients a limb or even their life.

Moore is out indefinitely.

Moore left the Broncos’ 27-17 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in the first half Sunday night in Denver and was replaced by veteran Mike Adams.

During the night, Moore called the team’s athletic trainer, Steve Antonopulos, because he was still experiencing pain and swelling, interim Coach Jack Del Rio said. Antonopulos arranged for Moore to be examined by the team’s medical staff, which determined he needed what’s called a fasciotomy.

That’s where a surgeon cuts open the skin and fascia covering the affected compartment, which are groupings of muscles, nerves and blood vessels.

Compartment syndrome develops when swelling or bleeding occurs within a compartment, which the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says can be caused by athletic exertion or an impact injury. It’s rarely seen in football players.

“It’s a new one for me, I’m learning about it,” Del Rio said. “I had to write it down so I can say it properly. It’s just one of those freakish things that can occur — and it did.”

Moore, who remained hospitalized Monday, will not play Sunday when the Broncos (9-1) visit the New England Patriots. Del Rio said he had no timetable for Moore’s return.

Two are suspended

Indianapolis Colts linebacker Erik Walden’s head butt and Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Dashon Goldson’s helmet-to-helmet hit earned one-game suspensions from the NFL.

Walden pulled off the helmet of Titans tight end Delanie Walker, then slammed his own helmet into Walker’s head during Indianapolis’ game against Tennessee on Thursday. Walden was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct but not ejected.

Goldson was penalized for unnecessary roughness for his hit on a defenseless receiver, Roddy White, against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

It was Goldson’s third such violation this season. He was fined $30,000 for hitting a defenseless player in the head and neck area in Week 1, then was initially suspended for a game for a helmet-to-helmet hit in Week 2. That ban was changed to a $100,000 fine on appeal.

Review underway

The Washington Redskins and the NFL are reviewing an incident in which a game official allegedly directed obscene words at left tackle Trent Williams.

“You just can’t use that type of language to get your point across,” Redskins Coach Mike Shanahan said.

Williams said he was called vulgar names by official No. 81 — which would be umpire Roy Ellison — during a Redskins possession late in the second quarter of a 24-16 loss Sunday to the Philadelphia Eagles. Other players say they heard the words as well, and a replay shows Ellison gesturing at Williams while walking backward just before a snap, with Williams, quarterback Robert Griffin III and tight end Niles Paul turning to look back at Ellison.

“To me, this is a players’ league,” Williams told reporters after the game. “I just don’t think there’s no room for you to have to take that from the team and the refs. I think it’s very unprofessional. … I’m at a loss for words. You never expect that, as a player, going into the game to have to beef with the refs also.”

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the incident is “under review.”

Etc.

Houston Texans Coach Gary Kubiak is sticking with Case Keenum as his starter despite pulling the quarterback late in a 28-23 loss to Oakland on Sunday. ... Redskins receiver Leonard Hankerson might need surgery on his left knee after his lateral collateral ligament was damaged in the second quarter against Philadelphia. ... Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome returned to Baltimore on Monday after becoming ill and spending Sunday night in Chicago following the team’s 23-20 overtime loss to the Bears. ... Chicago Coach Marc Trestman said Jay Cutler would not play this week but remained the team’s No. 1 quarterback despite Josh McCown’s strong play. Cutler has groin and ankle injuries.