Holliday Underwent Offseason Knee Surgery

New Denver Broncos defensive end Vonnie Holliday tells the Associated Press that he underwent knee surgery in late January, explaining why he remained unsigned until Saturday.

“A lot of people don’t know this, but I had my knee cleaned up and then I got released by Miami and I found myself in free agency: a 12th-year pro, 33 years old and coming off knee surgery,” Holliday said. “So, when I met with the Broncos I had a puffy knee.”

Still, the Broncos stayed in touch and came calling Saturday.

“I really didn’t want to miss training camp,” said Holliday, who stayed in shape by working with a trainer and a nutritionist in his hometown of Atlanta. “When you’re going through it, you hate it and you dread it. But I missed it because I was used to being in training camp.

“And retirement was never an option, not from where I’m at right now. I still have a few years left.”

So, that explains it. Hopefully the Broncos’ tire-kicking was a thorough one.

New Broncos DE Vonnie Holliday says he had hurt knee during free agency but is healthy now [AP/Minneapolis Star Tribune]