Friday update, October 9: Patrick Surtain II and Riley Moss have been ruled out against the Chargers. Pat Bryant is on injured reserve and must miss at least four games. Denver promoted Lil’Jordan Humphrey to the active roster.
Earlier reporting, updated October 8
The earlier report below is preserved for context. Friday’s update above supersedes its availability estimates and references to forthcoming reports.
Updated October 8, 12:49 a.m. EDT: Patrick Surtain II and Pat Bryant did not practice Wednesday, October 7, because of ankle injuries. Cornerback Riley Moss also sat out with a rib injury, adding another availability concern in Denver’s secondary. Wednesday’s participation report does not rule any of them out for Sunday.
Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II and receiver Pat Bryant both avoided long-term injuries to their ankles in Sunday’s 24–14 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, though each is still expected to miss time.
The news is a relief for a 2–2 team that cannot afford to lose its best defensive player for months. Surtain is the anchor of the Denver secondary, and the first fear after he went down was much worse than what tests found.
Surtain: week to week
Surtain was hurt without contact in the first half at Levi’s Stadium, going down and reaching for his right foot and ankle. Further examination showed his Achilles tendon is intact. Jeremy Fowler reported that the cornerback is week to week, and one estimate has him out for about two weeks. Neither estimate has been confirmed by the club.
If Surtain sits, Ja’Quan McMillian and Jahdae Barron give Denver options outside and in the slot. Moss is another option on the roster, but his rib injury and absence from Wednesday’s practice mean his availability also needs monitoring.
Bryant: a few weeks
Bryant’s injury came at the end of his longest catch of the day, a 30-yard gain after halftime, and a cart took him off the field. He is expected to be out for a few weeks. He had three catches for 47 yards before leaving, and his absence removes one of the few downfield options in an offense that struggled again on Sunday.
Bo Nix completed 25 of 42 passes for 214 yards, and running back RJ Harvey led the team with 10 catches, mostly short. Denver did not score a touchdown until Jaylen Waddle’s 13-yard catch with 4:05 left cut the margin to 17–14. George Kittle answered with a 56-yard touchdown on the next possession to decide the game.
What comes next
The Broncos visit the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, October 11, at 4:05 p.m. EDT. The full numbers from Santa Clara are in the Game Center, and practice updates are available on our injury report.
The Broncos are scheduled to issue another practice report Thursday and final game statuses Friday. Those later reports will clarify availability for Sunday; Wednesday’s non-participation alone is not a final designation.
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