The Denver Broncos face the Dallas Cowboys in week 8, as they look to consolidate their lead atop the AFC West. A lead that they will relinquish if they cannot get past the Cowboys, as they would be tied with the Los Angeles Chargers, who beat them in the pair’s sole head-to-head fixture so far this season.
But the Broncos got some good injury news with regards to the availability of one their more important backup/role players on Sunday, just prior to the game, as Jonah Ellis was made active by the team.
“With Broncos OLB Jonah Elliss back after missing two games with shoulder injury,” the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson reports, “rookie OLB Que Robinson is inactive after having played in his first two NFL games when Elliss was out. Plus all the inactive for today’s game vs. Cowboys.”
Alongside Que Robinson, other inactives per the team’s website, include running back Jaleel McLaughlin, quarterback Sam Ehlinger and rookie third round defensive end Sai’vion Jones.
Broncos Get Jonah Elliss Boost In Week 8
Whilst Eliss is not technically a starter on the Broncos defense, he remains an important part of their rotation when healthy.
Over the first five weeks of the season, the 2024 third round pick played around 40% of defensive snaps per game, compared to the 60-70% managed by starters Jonathan Cooper and Nik Bonitto.
Ellis had an unexpectedly strong rookie season, generating 38 tackles, 5 sacks and 2 passes defended, whilst playing in all 17 games. With many expecting Ellis to take another step in year two, the Utah alum has not quite managed to get to that next level, producing 1 sack and 11 tackles in his first five games of the season.
Even so, his return will no doubt be a boon to a Denver defense whose ceiling is right at the top of the league.
What Is The State Of The Denver Defense Ahead Of Week 8?
The Broncos’ defense are in a position that many expected them to be heading into the season, coming in as the #3 total defense, behind only the Atlanta Falcons and the Cleveland Browns.
Perhaps even more importantly, Denver has both a top 10 passing and rushing defense, at #6 and #9 respectively, demonstrating strong capabilities defending both aspects of opposing offenses.
The team will also be without inside linebacker, Dre Greenlaw, who was suspended following an altercation with one of the officials in week 7 against the New York Giants, following kicker, Will Lutz’s game-winning, walk-off field goal.
More to follow…
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