Brandon

Jones

With Talanoa Hufanga also sidelined heading into this game, both of Denver’s starting safeties from Week 8 are out. Luckily for Denver, Pat Surtani is back this week, giving them some extra firepower in their secondary. Jones has two interceptions and five pass breakups this year.

Jones suffered the injury in Sunday’s win over the Packers. The decision to place Jones on IR came after an MRI, which could indicate something more serious, although the team has not suggested that at this time. Jones has totaled 78 tackles, seven pass breakups, and one interception in 14 games for the Broncos this season. Safety Devon Key is listed behind him on the depth chart and will presumably take over in Jones’ absence.

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.

The report comes from the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson. The Broncos are now without three safeties following Brandon Jones’ Friday hamstring strain, though Jones is expected to return in two weeks. Bolden’s initial NFL dreams were dashed by a torn meniscus suffered at his 2023 pro day. He played in seven games with the UFL’s St. Louis Battlehawks this season, earning a 68.2 PFF defense grade for his efforts. Bolden functions primarily as a box safety but has some free safety versatility.

The training staff has yet to determine the injury’s severity but the Broncos are already in a tough spot at safety. The front office released four-time second-team All-Pro S Justin Simmons this offseason and both S Caden Sterns (patellar tendon) and S Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL) are currently on the active/physically unable to perform (PUP) list. P.J. Locke is the only active Broncos safety who logged triple-digit defensive snaps last year, though he worryingly earned a 55.2 PFF coverage grade.

According to Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz, Jones’ deal is worth $20 million, with a chance for him to move up to $22.5 million. The former Dolphin totaled 48 tackles and two interceptions last season and should have a chance to step in and replace Justin Simmons, who the team made a cap casualty last week. Jones was a third-round pick of the Dolphins back in 2020 and has started 30 of the 54 games he’s appeared in for his career.

Jones suffered the injury Sunday night against the Steelers. It’s a blow to an injury-riddled Dolphins secondary graded by PFF as the league’s fifth worst. Miami’s secondary should be as vulnerable as any in the NFL for the remainder of the season.

And with that, Miami officially puts pen to paper with their entire draft class. Jones (5’11/198) was a four-star recruit and three-year starter at Texas who earned second-team All-Big 12 honors as a senior. He moved across the defensive formation but was best away from the line of scrimmage where his overaggressiveness would bite him. A decent athlete with high-end competitiveness, Jones should be a nice special teamer in the NFL and could compete for a starting spot at box or free safety. His 86 tackles in 2019 were among the best in the safety class, but he’s just average when the ball is in the air.

Jones (5’11/198) was a four-star recruit and three-year starter at Texas who earned second-team All-Big 12 honors as a senior. He moved across the defensive formation but was best away from the line of scrimmage where his overaggressiveness would bite him. A decent athlete with high-end competitiveness, Jones should be a nice special teamer in the NFL and could compete for a starting spot at box or free safety. His 86 tackles in 2019 were among the best in the safety class, but he’s just average when the ball is in the air.

Jones (5’11/198) was a four-star recruit and three-year starter at Texas who earned second-team All-Big 12 honors as a senior. He moved across the defensive formation but was best away from the line of scrimmage where his overaggressiveness would bite him. A decent athlete with high-end competitiveness, Jones should be a nice special teamer in the NFL and could compete for a starting spot at box or free safety. His 86 tackles in 2019 were among the best in the safety class, but he’s just average when the ball is in the air.