Broncos may replace Joe Mays with Keith Brooking as starting MLB

The Denver Broncos linebacker Keith Brooking will replace Joe Mays as the starting middle linebacker for Monday night’s game against San Diego, according to Mike Klis of The Denver Post.

Brooking has been the Broncos’ No. 1 middle linebacker for the past week of practice.

Brooking will get the start after his outstanding run-stop performance against the Oakland Raiders.

While Joe Mays served his one game suspension for his hit on Texans quarterback Matt Schaub, the Broncos shifted Brooking from weakside linebacker to middle linebacker for the game.

Brooking and the Broncos defense held Raiders running back Darren McFadden to just 34 yards rushing.

Mays returned the following week and started against the New England Patriots, but the Broncos’ defense fell apart against the Patriots heavy run attack giving up 251 yards on the ground.

The Broncos had been using Brooking as a weakside linebacker in the base defense, substituting him out for Wesley Woodyard on passing downs. Woodyard will now be the full-time weakside linebacker if Brooking shifts to the middle.