It took a decade, but Champ Bailey finally will go under the knife as an NFL player.

Bailey, the Broncos' eight-time Pro Bowl cornerback, will undergo surgery today to repair torn ligaments in his left elbow, an injury he suffered during the season finale at San Diego.

Bailey also suffered cartilage damage when he was injured making a first-quarter tackle during the Dec. 28 loss to the Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium; he ended up finishing the game.

Those loose bodies also will be removed from his elbow during the surgical procedure.

The anticipated recovery time is three to four months.

That would jeopardize Bailey's availability for offseason minicamps. But he is expected to be fully recovered by the time the Broncos open training camp in July.

The news caps the toughest year in Bailey's distinguished career. He had missed only three games in nine seasons before tearing a groin muscle Oct. 20 at New England. He sat out the next nine games but returned for the Dec. 21 matchup against Buffalo and was credited with making 10 unassisted tackles.

But in his two late-season appearances, Bailey clearly was limited in terms of his speed and ability to make split-second turns and cuts.

The groin injury is expected to heal with time, but that's not the case with his ailing elbow.