Jonathan

Wilhite

Bailey pulled up lame while trying to chase down Darren McFadden in the fourth quarter Monday night. He did not return to the game. These kind of injuries tend to linger when you’re 33, so the Broncos may have to get Cassius Vaughn and Jonathan Wilhite coached up before next week’s game against the Bengals.

Wilhite saw extensive action with the Broncos in the first half of last season, but was limited to special teams work over the final two months. The 2008 fourth-rounder will compete for snaps in sub-packages with the Bears.

“He’s proved that to us over time as far as his competitive nature on the field and his work ethic to get better every day,” said coach John Fox. “He’s starting to reap some of those benefits.” Along with safeties Quinton Carter and Rahim Moore, the Broncos will have three rookies on the field in their dime package.

A report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter suggested the sides agreed to separate, but the team has not ruled out re-signing the 35-year-old down the road. Though Springs still matches up well with physical receivers, he was shuffled in and out of the lineup last season. First-rounder Devin McCourty will battle Darius Butler, Terrence Wheatley, and Jonathan Wilhite for the starting job opposite Leigh Bodden.

Rookie Darius Butler and Terrence Wheatley will push him, but Wilhite showed promise as a rookie and has the best size of the group. The Auburn alum is also versed in press coverage, a key for New England’s scheme.

Wilhite has become more comfortable in the defense and could be poised for a nice season. “Right now, I’m still young and there is always something I can learn,” he said. “We have some guys who came in who have been doing this for a long time, like Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden, and that always makes it a little better.”

Wilhite’s injury left the Pats with just three healthy cornerbacks, but they were still able to contain the Falcons passing game. Wilhite reportedly suffered the injury just prior to the game.

Wilhite’s home was not invaded. But when two men approached Wilhite at his home, he took off running to a convenience store to call police. He told police that he injured his groin while running, though the severity is not known.

Police will only confirm they’re gathering facts regarding “an incident involving a (New England) Patriots player.” The player’s home was allegedly invaded, and Wilhite was a surprise scratch for Sunday’s win over Atlanta. Coach Bill Belichick, however, said Wilhite “had an injury (Sunday) morning.”

Wilhite battled injuries at Auburn, but there aren’t too many other liabilities in his game. He tackled well as a 22-game starter and runs a 4.4. Wilhite has a chance to emerge as an eventual starter in New England’s secondary.