Denver Broncos star cornerback Pat Surtain II went down with an ankle injury late in the second quarter of Sunday’s Week 4 game against the San Francisco 49ers, and it wasn’t even on contact. He reportedly became questionable to return after the play, which happened just before halftime.
No Contact, Big Concerns for Denver
Surtain was backpedaling in coverage when he stopped in the middle of a play and went down on his own. He looked to be holding his ankle and hobbled off the field, needing medical personnel to help him. Reports indicated he was seen heading back to the Broncos’ locker room still walking slowly, leaning on staffers, even though he was putting weight on both legs. It’s a tough look when a player goes down without contact; it always raises big questions about the severity of what’s going on internally. The Broncos hadn’t announced any official status for the second half or how bad the injury actually is.
The Centerpiece of Denver’s Defense Exits
This isn’t just any player leaving the game. Surtain II is a massive deal for the Broncos. He took home the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award in 2024 and is a three-time All-Pro. The dude is the centerpiece of their defense, often shadowing the opposing team’s top receiver, essentially taking that threat out of the game. He’s also dealt with injuries before, missing time last season with a strained pectoral muscle. His absence is a serious hit to the defense. As the half ended, the Broncos did manage to block a field goal attempt, keeping the game tied 3-3, but the focus quickly shifted to their star corner.
This is a developing story, and everyone’s waiting to see what the official word is on Surtain. Without their defensive anchor, the Broncos have a huge challenge ahead of them in the second half of this tight game and potentially beyond.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
Leave a Reply