The Denver Broncos may get a huge boost to their secondary this weekend from All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain, who is on track to return from an ankle sprain suffered in Week 4 against the San Francisco 49ers.
Surtain's potential return comes just before a must-win game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8 at Empower Field at Mile High. Surtain has been a full participant in practice this week, making his return likely on Sunday.
Surtain is excited to get back on the field in front of the home crowd, especially for a game with such high stakes.
"I'm looking forward to a packed-out crowd, a great environment, great atmosphere," Surtain said after Thursday's practice. "You know, obviously it's a big game, and I know Broncos Country is going to come
through and do their thing, make it loud, make it hard on the Chiefs and everything will go well."
Ahead of Week 8, Surtain was asked if Kansas City was going to be his targeted return to action.
"Yeah, that was what I had in mind," Surtain said, according to the Denver Post's Sam Jane.
You can see his comments on the importance of Chiefs week below.
I talked to Pat Surtain today, who said he suffered high-ankle sprain on “routine play” against 49ers.
— Sam Jane (@sam_jane230) October 29, 2026
Asked him if return for #chiefs game was what he had in mind after injury.
“Yeah, that was what I had in mind. Just seeing where things go from here on out.”
More from… pic.twitter.com/xMKSA2A1pf
This is the second straight season in which Surtain has missed several games in a row due to injury. Surtain suffered a shoulder injury last fall, missing three games, narrowly avoiding a stint on the injured reserve list.
Such a multi-game injury history is starting to be of lingering concern, but the reality is, Surtain is still playing at an All-Pro level, even with the injuries. If he can keep up that type and level of play, the Broncos, who went 2-1 in Surtain's absence, will continue to be in a very good place on the defensive side of the ball.
Surtain will likely suit up against Kansas City, making it a grand return for a must-win contest that may decide the division crown later in the year.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Broncos CB Pat Surtain poised to return after 3-game absence
