Patrick Surtain II won’t be on the field for the Broncos in Week 5.
After leaving Denver’s brutal Week 4 loss to the San Francisco 49ers with a non-contact injury, Surtain did not practice all week and has been ruled out against the Los Angeles Chargers. Riley Moss is also out, leaving Denver short-handed in the secondary as it tries to bounce back from an ugly defeat that also saw Pat Bryant exit injured and later land on injured reserve.
The good news for the Broncos is that Surtain’s situation does not appear to be the nightmare it first looked like. When he went down, the immediate fear was an Achilles injury. That turned out not to be the case, and the fact that Denver did not place him on IR suggests the team believes he can return within three games or fewer.
That matters because an IR stint would have forced Surtain to miss matchups with Los Angeles, Seattle, Arizona and Kansas City. Instead, the Broncos seem to be holding out hope that he’ll be available by Nov. 1, when they host the Chiefs.
There’s also not much breathing room on the schedule. Denver turns right around and plays Seattle on Oct. 15 on Thursday Night Football in Week 6, and at this point it’s not clear whether Surtain has any real shot to suit up that soon.
As Parker Gabriel put it: “Denver hopes he's back within a couple of weeks.”
He also noted: “#Broncos biggest mode today is in absentia. No IR for Pat Surtain II. Not a big surprise but still important.
Denver hoping he’s back within a couple of weeks. Would need to play by Nov. 1 vs. KC to beat the IR timeline.”
The most reasonable expectation right now is that Surtain’s return could come against the Cardinals on Oct. 25, though Denver appears comfortable if it takes until Nov. 1 at the latest. It’s not ideal to be without one of your top defenders, but the Broncos did avoid the worst-case outcome.
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Broncos Starter Hit With Another Fine And Fans Will Have Opinions
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The situation has an extra layer because the post centered on the drug-test collection process, a subject the league treats seriously even when a player may not have meant any harm. Meinerz is appealing the fine, so this one is not necessarily finished yet, and it adds another small off-field distraction for a Broncos team that is trying to keep its focus on the field after its Week 3 win over the Rams. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Defense Awaits A Big Week 5 Call On Ladd McConkey
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McConkey is dealing with multiple injuries, and the early read is that he is likely to miss the game, which would force the Chargers to reshuffle targets in a meaningful spot. If he is sidelined, Los Angeles will be asking other pass catchers to pick up the slack, and Denver will be watching to see whether the offense can maintain its rhythm without one of its steadier options. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Can Exploit A Chargers Weakness That Could Swing This Game
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From Denvers side, the more intriguing opportunity may come when the Broncos have the ball and test where the Chargers are least settled defensively. Injuries have thinned that group enough to make linebacker Justin Phillips a potential coverage target, and that sort of matchup can tilt a game if Denver isolates it well. Whether the Broncos lean on RJ Harvey, Evan Engram or another option, this is the kind of wrinkle that could decide which sideline is left looking for answers late. [Read more 🡒]