Surtain ankle injury not considered season-ending

It sounds like this is overall good news for the Broncos, but their defense will take a major short-term hit without one of the best corners in the league. The Broncos, who also lost Riley Moss to a rib injury against the 49ers, will probably have to change some things up next week against the Chargers.

Surtain went down with a lower leg injury late in the second half and needed help getting to the Denver locker room. It was a non-contact injury. The Broncos also lost starting corner Riley Moss. Extended absences for Moss and Surtain would make the Broncos vulnerable to most opposing passing attacks, including the Chargers in Week 5.

Surtain went down with a non-contact injury late in the second quarter and needed help getting the the Denver locker room. He was seen grabbing at his calf and foot area. Hopefully for the Broncos this injury is not a worst-case scenario for one of the NFL’s best cover corners. Brock Purdy and the Niners should have an easier time moving the ball if Surtain is sidelined for the remainder of this game.

Moss exited Friday’s game with an apparent rib injury, but Payton said the team is choosing to make the smart decision by not practicing him. Moss totaled 57 tackles and one interception last season and has started all 31 games he has appeared in since 2024.

Broncos CB Pat Surtain appeared to force a fumble from Packers WR Christian Watson moments after Watson hauled in the pass. Moss dove on it, injuring himself in the process, but Watson was eventually ruled down by contact. Bummer. Moss was grabbing at the right side of his rib cage as he entered the blue medical tent. If Moss misses time, the Broncos have CB Jahdae Barron waiting in the wings.

He gets a $5 million raise this year and has a chance to make $5 million more next year if he makes the Pro Bowl or All-Pro teams. The “good player pay bump” is getting more and more common in NFL circles. Surtain has been on one of the two All-Pro teams in three of his first five seasons in the NFL, so there’s a good shot he makes it again this year if he stays healthy.

The Broncos brought McMillian, 25, aboard as an undrafted free agent in 2022. He impressively won the starting slot cornerback role in 2023 and has manned that spot for the Broncos ever since. The front office retained McMillian via a one-year contract last year, and appears set to do so again, though McMillian’s agent said the cornerback is hoping to sign a long-term deal. That may not happen. General manager George Patton made his top-tier cornerback unit even deeper by spending a first-round pick on former Texas CB Jahdae Barron in 2025. While No. 1 CB Patrick Surtain II will assuredly retain his starting role, the Broncos could end up hosting a competition between McMillian, Barron and No. 2 perimeter CB Riley Moss this year. Last year, Barron logged 155 snaps in the slot, 95 in the box and 90 on the perimeter and could have the talent to compete for either role.

Surtain takes the field on game day for the first time since Week 8. He will likely take on WR Terry McLaurin (quad), who is also making his return from a multi-game absence, when McLaurin lines up on the perimeter. It should be a good matchup. Stay tuned.

That places the veteran lockdown corner in line to return to the game-day roster for the first time since Week 8, potentially marking a substantial boost to one of the top defenses in the league. He’ll prepare to square off against the Jayden Daniel-less Commanders in Week 13.

Surtain suffered a pec strain in Week 8 and has been out ever since. The team declined to place him on injured reserve, meaning they thought he would be out fewer than four weeks. A limited practice is a step in the right direction, but the Broncos could hold him out one more game to make sure he doesn’t re-aggravate the issue. Either way, we expect Denver to handle business versus the Marcus Mariota-led Commanders this week.