Things are going very well in Denver as the Broncos moved to 6-2 after Sunday’s 44-24 victory against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.
One of the biggest reasons for the fast start to the season is a defense that is as good as there is in the league. The leader on the unit is cornerback Patrick Surtain II, who was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year last season.
He left Sunday’s game with an injury, and the news is bad as the Broncos will be without their defensive captain for an extended period because of a pectoral injury.
There is some positive news as currently surgery isn’t required, and he will be getting a second opinion later in the week.
He had to deal with multiple injuries on Sunday, as he left the game with an ankle injury early in the game. However, he was able to come back shortly after. However, he suffered the pectoral injury at the end of the first half, and he was unable to go back in the game.
The loss of Surtain is massive, as he is as good of cornerback in the NFL. Last season, he had 45 tackles and four interceptions, returning one of them 100 yards for a touchdown.
His ability to take one side of the field away from an opposing offense allows defensive coordinator Vance Joseph to be very aggressive when it comes to getting after the quarterback. The Broncos have 36 sacks on the season, which leads the league by 10 over the Los Angeles Rams.
With Surtain out, that forces Riley Moss to become the No. 1 cornerback, while guys like Ja’Quan McMillian, Jahdae Barron and Kris Abrams-Draine being called upon more. With the trade deadline on Nov. 4, the Broncos could also be very aggressive in trying to bring in some help on that side of the ball.
The Broncos have a relatively easy schedule the next month, as they face the Houston Texans, Las Vegas Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs.
The defense still has a ton of playmakers, and should be able to deal with the injury. However, for the team to be a true contender in the AFC, they need Surtain to get back and be healthy.
