The Denver Broncos 2012 season officially ended—disappointingly—on Jan. 12.

Not for linebacker Joe Mays. His final game was all the way back in Week 8. Placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury, Mays, who started at middle linebacker in four of the six games he played this season, was relegated to spectator status.

Mays is no longer wearing a boot on the injured ankle, but is still using a crutch to get around. Mays told DenverBroncos.com he may not be ready for OTAs, but will “definitely” be healed before training camp, and has big hopes for next season:

“We’re trying to move further next year. This is a locker room full of guys who know what it takes to be professionals and know what it takes to go out there and take care of business each and every week. I’m looking forward to being a part of that.”

Other headlines:

Are the Denver Broncos the team to beat in the AFC next season? Rant Sports seems to think so, as do I.

But before we talk too much about next season, Yahoo! Sports wants to look back one final time on the season that was.

Who should stay and who should go? Bleacher Report looks into the Broncos free agency situation.

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