Pat

Surtain

Surtain is now on track to make his return after missing multiple games with an ankle injury. The good news comes at the right time, with a bout against the division-rival Chiefs upcoming this weekend.

Surtain is expected to return for a crucial matchup with the Chiefs next week. The Broncos will be without one of the league’s superstar corners in the meantime. Surtain’s absence should make life a little easier for Michael Wilson, who is in the midst of a two-game slump.

Surtain will miss his third straight game with the ankle injury. He was limited in practice throughout the week before being listed as questionable. With the Chiefs in the hole for Week 8, holding Surtain out one more game to get him back for a must-win AFC West showdown makes sense. Per Rapoport, there’s a “good chance” he’s back next week.

Surtain never managed to practice in full this week. Keeping him sidelined until he is able to do so could make sense. The 4-2 Broncos are currently second in the AFC West. They face the 5-0 Chiefs in Week 8. Stay tuned.

NFL on Prime’s James Palmer reported last week that Surtain was likely to return for the Broncos’ Week 8 game against the Chiefs, rather than face the Cardinals in Week 7. Given Surtain’s multi-week absence, and Palmer’s reporting, we expect to see Surtain listed as a limited participant on the final injury report. Whether he returns in time for the Cardinals’ game remains to be seen.

Palmer also clarified that Surtain did not suffer a non-contact injury, as has been reported previously. Surtain apparently injured his ankle two plays before he exited the Broncos’ Week 5 game against the 49ers. The Broncos might be able to get by without Surtain next week, but getting him back before facing Patrick Mahomes would be huge.

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.

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.

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.

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.