The Denver Broncos did not have many issues dispatching the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8, but they do face concerns around two-time First Team All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.
Surtain exited the game with an ankle injury in the first quarter but returned by the Broncos’ next defensive series. However, he exited again in the second quarter with a shoulder injury.
That one knocked him out of the game, with official word coming during the third quarter.
Broncos HC Sean Payton Stays Mum on Pat Surtain II Injury
GettyPat Surtain II #2 of the Denver Broncos is helped off the field after an injury against the Dallas Cowboys.
Surtain has been one of the most durable players in the league, missing just two games in his career with the Broncos, who selected him with the No. 9 overall pick of the 2021 draft. Both games came in Week 18 of the regular season, including last year for rest.
The Broncos will certainly wait with bated breath until the three-time Pro Bowler is at full strength in practice.
After the game, Broncos head coach Sean Payton offered nothing on Surtain postgame.
“Pretty good. Proud of them,” Payton told reporters about the Broncos’ secondary after the game. “Don’t like to see that happen. You never know when a player goes down. The next man is up. Not going to discuss any of the players that were injured at all, but I was proud of the guys that had to go play when someone went down.”
Surtain, 25, is off to another strong start, allowing 53.3% completion in his coverage entering this contest, per Pro Football Reference. That is the second-best mark of his career, while his 69.6 QB rating allowed is the third-best.
The Broncos signed Surtain to a four-year, $96 million contract extension in September 2024, a testament to the caliber of player that he is.
Without him, the Broncos could be vulnerable on the back end.
Broncos Will Miss Pat Surtain II If Injury Leads to Time Off
GettyPat Surtain II #2 of the Denver Broncos breaks up a pass intended for George Pickens #3 of the Dallas Cowboys.
The Broncos’ other top corners – starter Riley Moss, nickelback Ja’Quan McMillian, and rookie first-round draft pick Jahdae Barron, the No. 20 overall pick in 2025, who recorded his first career interception on Sunday – allowed a combined 52.4% completion rate before Sunday.
They allowed seven completions in 14 targets against the Cowboys, per Pro Football Focus, with Moss continuing to face heavy targets (6-for-11 for 56 yards) and committing two penalties.
The Broncos visit the Houston Texans in Week 9.
Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud is coming off his first 300-passing-yard game of the season and a win over the previously 5-2 San Francisco 49ers. Second-year fifth-round pick Kris Abrams-Draine replaced Surtain, allowing 49 yards and completions on all four targets he faced.
The Broncos entered Sunday’s slate of games in Week 8 ranked fourth in scoring defense and third overall.
Surtain has been a critical part of the Broncos’ success, making his next update just as critical.
The Broncos will not get back on the practice field until Wednesday, and they notably face the Las Vegas Raiders on a short week on “Thursday Night Football” in Week 10, adding urgency to clarity about Surtain and his balky shoulder.
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