According to multiple reports, including NFL insider Tom Pelissero, Denver Broncos star cornerback Pat Surtain II reportedly avoided a long-term injury. Surtain II suffered a non-contact injury during the Broncos’ loss to the 49ers on Sunday, and it didn’t look good for the former Defensive Player of the Year. Thankfully, it sounds like Surtain II has avoided a major season-ending injury.
While Surtain II appears to have avoided a long-term, season-ending injury, he still seems likely to miss time and could even spend time on the injured reserve. He needed the assistance of two trainers and was walking pretty gingerly to the locker room, so we will have to see what his exact injury is and how much time he is expected to miss.
Surtain II wasn’t the only Broncos corner to leave Sunday’s game. Riley Moss, the Broncos’ other starting corner, suffered a rib injury and was sidelined for the entire second half. He was later ruled out for the game, and we are still awaiting an injury update on him.
With Surtain II and Moss sidelined, the Broncos turned to former first-round pick Jahdae Barron and Kris Abrams-Draine at corner. While the 49ers were not throwing much, both corners held their own, and Barron had a few physical tackles in the game. With Surtain II and likely Moss expected to miss time, both players could see significant playing time moving forward. With Moss and Ja’Quan McMillian on expiring contracts, this will be a big opportunity for both corners to prove they can be trusted to start moving forward.
The Broncos will face the 0-4 Los Angeles Chargers next Sunday, followed by a home game vs. the Seattle Seahawks on a short week on Thursday Night Football. Both Barron and Abrams-Draine will likely be counted on in those games at least and will need to play well if the Broncos want to have success moving forward.
At the end of the day, it’s great news that Surtain II appears to have avoided a season-ending injury. Non-contact injuries are often bad, so the Broncos and Surtain II may have lucked out here.
