According to ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, the Denver Broncos are optimistic that they will get cornerback Patrick Surtain II and linebacker Alex Singleton back after their BYE week vs. the Commanders.
The reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Pat Surtain II, has been out since the second half of the Cowboys game, and yet, the Broncos’ defense has not missed a beat. Outside of a garbage-time Joe Milton touchdown, the Broncos have only allowed 1 passing touchdown in the 3.5 games that PS2 has sat out. That one touchdown came this past Sunday when Travis Kelce broke free from Talanoa Hufanga and ran in for the score. Outside of that, the Broncos’ corners stepped up and have not allowed a passing touchdown while Surtain II was sidelined.
Corners Riley Moss, Ja’Quan McMillian, Jahdae Barron, and Kris Abrams-Draine really stepped up and elevated their game during this three-game stretch. Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph deserves praise for what he has been doing with this defense without Surtain II in the secondary.
Now, with PS2 coming back, the Broncos’ defense will get even stronger while the remaining corners are more experienced, more confident, and proven they belong in the NFL. This should be beneficial for this group in the long run.
As for Singleton, we unfortunately learned he underwent surgery for testicular cancer after their Thursday Night game vs. the Raiders. Thankfully, the prognosis was good, and he was expected to be cancer-free moving forward, but when he would return to the field was unknown at that point and time.
Now we are learning that Singleton is expected back after the BYE week, which is great news. We can be critical of his play at times, but he is a team leader, the locker room loves him, and his return will only rally the team and locker room even more moving forward.
The Broncos’ defense has been elite, and now it will be getting back an All-Pro caliber player who is your reigning DPOY and a team captain returning from a cancer diagnosis. The Broncos will be getting healthy at the right time and will look to continue their hot streak coming out of the BYE week and win the AFC West and get that number one seed in the AFC.
