The AFC West-leading Denver Broncos avoided a long-term loss.
The Broncos are not planning to place reigning Defensive Player of the Year corner Patrick Surtain II on injured reserve with a pectoral strain, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Wednesday, per sources informed of the situation.
Surtain suffered the pec injury in Sunday’s win over the Dallas Cowboys. Following the diagnosis, there was speculation that the club might place the star corner on IR, knocking him out for at least four games.
Keeping Surtain on the active roster while he is rehabbing could put the star corner in line to only miss three tilts.
The bye in Week 12 likely played a role in the Broncos' decision. Denver plays the Texans on Sunday, the Raiders in Week 10 and the Chiefs in Week 11 before their break. If Surtain went on IR, he'd be knocked out against the Commanders in Week 13 as well.
The best news is that whether it's ultimately three or four games, the top corner in the league will be back for the stretch run. Keeping him off IR simply opens up another potential game. The Broncos likely weighed getting him back a game early versus opening up a roster spot while he's out. Ultimately, they decided that potentially getting the DPOY back earlier would be more beneficial.
2024 fifth-round pick Kris Abrams-Draine and rookie first-rounder Jahdae Barron are likely to see increased reps in place of Surtain playing opposite Riley Moss.
The 25-year-old Surtain was the ninth pick of the 2021 NFL Draft and has blossomed into one of the game's elite cornerbacks. In 2024, Surtain was voted the Defensive Player of the Year after he recorded four interceptions -- including one returned for a 100-yard touchdown -- to go along with 45 tackles and 11 passes defensed. This year, he's already racked up nine pass breakups.
