Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton just delivered a major injury update on cornerback Pat Surtain II and wide receiver Pat Bryant, and while it is good news for the Mile High crew, it throws a serious curveball our way before the Seahawks host them on Thursday Night Football.
Broncos Dodged A Bullet, For Now
Listen, if you saw Sunday’s game against the 49ers, it looked grim. Both Surtain II and Bryant went down, and it truly did not look good. Surtain II, a beast in the secondary, suffered a non-contact ankle injury that had everyone holding their breath, thinking “Achilles!” Bryant, on the other hand, got carted off the field, which is never a sight you want to see. Talk about a double punch to their lineup.
But here’s the kicker: late Sunday night and early Monday, the news started trickling out. Both ankle injuries are apparently just short-term. We’re not talking season-ending, folks. Payton is even saying neither player is expected to land on injured reserve, which is a huge sigh of relief for Denver. It sounds like they could be back on the field in a few weeks.
Why This Is Huge For Our Reigning Champs
Okay, so here is where the rubber meets the road for us, the 12s. The Broncos are set to face their division rival, the Los Angeles Chargers, this Sunday. But then, on a short week, they roll into our house to take on the reigning champ Seattle Seahawks for Thursday Night Football. You hear that? A short week!
It is a safe bet that both Surtain II and Bryant will be sidelined for both the Chargers game and, more importantly for us, that Thursday night clash against the Emerald City squad. They might be back for their Week 7 road game against the Cardinals, but that short week before facing us? Perfect timing, if you ask me. For the Broncos, this means Jahdae Barron is looking at a starting role at corner, with Kris Abrams-Draine also seeing more snaps, especially against Justin Herbert. On offense, Lil’Jordan Humphrey will step up as a blocking receiver, while Marvin Mims Jr. and Troy Franklin will get more action in the WR3 spot. Their passing offense has been struggling already, so losing Bryant won’t make things easier for them.
Ultimately, this is good news for the Broncos in the long run, saving them from a season-ending disaster. But for the short term, specifically when they visit our T-Mobile Park (oops, wrong stadium, I mean Lumen Field!) next Thursday, they will be relying heavily on their depth. Get ready, Seattle. This is shaping up to be a prime opportunity for our Seahawks to make a statement on national television.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Mile High Report.
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