The Broncos are officially without both of their starting cornerbacks for Sunday’s game against the Chargers. Pat Surtain II and Riley Moss, two critical pieces of their defense, have been ruled out, leaving a massive hole in the secondary just days before a divisional showdown.
Two Starting Corners Sidelined: How Bad Is This For Denver?
This is a gut punch for Denver, no doubt about it. Pat Surtain II, their top corner, has been nursing an ankle injury, while Riley Moss is dealing with ribs. Both players picked up their injuries in last weekend’s tough loss to the 49ers. The fact that neither of them stepped onto the practice field all week just tells you how serious these issues are. You’ve got to wonder how the Broncos are going to manage against the Chargers’ passing game with their two primary lockdown guys watching from the sidelines. It’s not just about losing talent, it’s about the entire defensive scheme having to adapt on the fly.
Roster Shuffle: New Faces Step Up Amidst Injuries
The cornerback situation isn’t the only headache for the Broncos. Wide receiver Pat Bryant also missed practice all week with an ankle injury, and the team confirmed he’s been placed on injured reserve. That means he’s out for at least four games, a significant chunk of time for any player. To fill that void, Denver brought up wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey from their practice squad. Humphrey has only appeared in one game so far this season, so he’ll be looking to make an impact. They also made another move on the defensive side, signing defensive back Ugo Amadi to their practice squad. With Surtain and Moss out, Amadi’s presence might become more important than initially expected, even if he’s only on the practice squad for now.
Sunday’s game against the Chargers is going to be a real test of depth for the Broncos. They’re heading into a crucial divisional matchup without key players, and every snap will matter.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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