Riley Moss (ribs) limited again Tuesday

Moss, one of the Broncos’ starting cornerbacks, returns from a one-game absence. He injured his ribs in Week 4 against the 49ers. The Broncos declared QB Sam Ehlinger, OL Kage Casey, TE Dallen Bentley, DL Jordan Jackson and DL Tyler Onyedim inactive for Week 6 against the Seahawks. Ehlinger will serve as the team’s emergency third quarterback.

Moss missed Week 5 due to a rib injury but has a chance to return Thursday against the Seahawks after three straight limited practices this week. CB Patrick Surtain (ankle) and S Talanoa Hufanga (ankle) did not practice all week and were ruled out, as expected.

The former second-team All-Pro safety left last week’s game against the Chargers with the injury. Hufanga has been one of the biggest havoc creators in the league this year with one forced fumble and two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. His absence will be a big blow to the Broncos’ defense, which is already without Patrick Surtain II, Jonathon Cooper, and potentially Riley Moss for their Week 6 matchup against the Seahawks.

It was an estimated session, but one that probably bodes pretty prescient since Hufanga left Week 5’s game with the ankle injury and was ruled out. Riley Moss (ribs) was listed as limited and would appear to have a chance to come back after being ruled out for Week 5.

Neither Surtain or Riley Moss (ribs) practiced on Wednesday. Head coach Sean Payton said the Broncos don’t anticipate placing Surtain on injured reserve. The injuries to both corners look to be shorter-term; Surtain is week-to-week while Moss’ return timeline is not disclosed yet. Both are on the wrong side of questionable for Week 5 against the Chargers.

According to Rapoport, there are no longer any concerns that this is an Achilles injury for Surtain, who left Week 4’s game against the 49ers with a non-contact injury. Surtain could be looking at a multi-week absence and will undergo an MRI soon to confirm the severity of his injury, but it sounds like he avoided anything too serious. In addition to Surtain, the Broncos are also evaluating the status of CB Riley Moss, who is dealing with a rib injury.

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.

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.

The team did not hold a practice on Monday ahead of their Week 10 meeting with the Raiders on Thursday Night Football, but the fact two additional members of the secondary appeared on the injury report as non-participants is concerning considering the absence of Pat Surtain. Absences from either could improve the schematic matchups for Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker, with tight end Brock Bowers expected to see a good deal of coverage from standout safety Talanoa Hufanga.