P.J.

Locke

Locke spent the previous five weeks on injured reserve with a plantar fascia issue and is expected to be active for the team’s Week 8 game against the Cardinals. He brings a veteran presence to a defense that struggled mightily to start the season as the Cowboys continue inching closer to full health.

The team had already ruled him out for multiple weeks and will now make the administrative move of sending him to injured reserve. He will first be eligible to return for Week 7.

Durant suffered a hamstring strain and Locke suffered a torn plantar fascia in the team’s Week 2 win over the Commanders. Both players are reportedly going to miss multiple weeks, while a stint on injured reserve is not yet being ruled out for either player. In what has become somewhat of a yearly tradition in Dallas, the secondary is suddenly extremely thin on healthy bodies after the team invested significant capital re-tooling the back end this offseason. Expect Markquese Bell and Shavon Revel to enter the starting lineup for the time being.

After starting all 15 games he appeared in during the 2024 season, Locke made just three starts in 16 games last season, totaling 16 tackles and three pass breakups. The former UDFA became a major contributor for the Broncos in 2023 when he emerged to total 53 tackles, three sacks and five pass. Locke will join former Broncos DB coach Christian Parker in Dallas, and is capable of lining up from multiple spots. Even if he doesn’t earn a “starting” role in Dallas, Locke will likely see plenty of work for the Cowboys next season.

Locke is one of the first NFL players to undergo spinal fusion surgery, sharing his journey in a personal documentary YouTube video. He dealt with the pain from the surgery early on, but says he does not feel pain now. Locke started 15 games and the playoff loss for the Broncos and is a key member of a daunting secondary. The 28-year-old missed offseason workouts due to rehab and is preparing to be ready for the regular season.

Locke was considered doubtful for the bout against the Panthers, and will unsurprisingly miss the contest. Wilson will operate as the emergency third quarterback.

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.

Locke played sparingly his first three seasons in the league but became one of the standouts of the defense while filling in for the injured Kareem Jackson in 2023. Locke returns to a secondary now devoid of Justin Simmons after the latter’s release, creating the opportunity for Locke to see a significant bump in playing time in the immediate future.

All three were exclusive rights free agents. Rypien had a four-interception start against the Jets in 2020, but only attempted two passes in 2021 as a backup. He may be in line to be Russell Wilson’s backup in 2022 unless the Broncos sign someone else, as they’ve traded Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater is a free agent.

Locke (5'10/200) entered the draft mix after his senior season, but it’s been a really quiet draft season for the former Longhorn. However, as a senior, Locke racked up an impressive 58 solo tackles with a career-high 5.5 tackles for loss. That level of production is nice to see for a deep sleeper.