The Broncos may be getting a major defensive boost at just the right time.
Starting safety Talanoa Hufanga returned to practice Thursday for the first time since injuring his ankle in Week 5, according to Zac Stevens of DNVR Broncos. It was only a limited session, so his status for Sunday’s Week 9 matchup with the Carolina Panthers is still up in the air, but getting him back on the field at all is a welcome sign for Denver.
Hufanga has been out for the past three weeks, and the Broncos have felt the absence. Through the first five weeks of the season, he piled up 23 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, three passes defensed, two interceptions and one touchdown.
If he needs another week, Denver will keep leaning on Devon Key, Taylor Rapp, Tycen Anderson and JL Skinner at safety. Still, the Broncos would clearly prefer to have Hufanga back sooner rather than later as they try to stay on top of the AFC West.
Denver enters Week 9 in first place at 6-2, with the Kansas City Chiefs sitting second at 5-2 and the Las Vegas Raiders in third at 4-4.
Hufanga, a fifth-round pick by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2021 NFL Draft, has put together a career line of 348 tackles, five sacks, four forced fumbles, 28 passes defensed, nine interceptions and two touchdowns. He signed with the Broncos in 2025 on a three-year, $45 million free agent deal.
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There is at least a bit of relief on the horizon with Talanoa Hufanga moving to limited participation and putting himself in line to return after a three-game absence. The Panthers have their own health questions, with five players sitting out practice, but quarterback Bryce Young was a full participant and is expected to play, so Denver may need to navigate this one without much help from Carolinas injury list. [Read more 🡒]
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RJ Harveys injury has changed that calculus in a meaningful way. With Harvey now on injured reserve, Denver can still look to add another running back, but the idea of Dobbins being dealt has faded, and he is now expected to stay put as a backup if the Broncos do make a move before the deadline. [Read more 🡒]