DENVER — Denver Broncos star cornerback Pat Surtain II has reportedly avoided a long-term, season-ending injury after suffering a non-contact ankle injury in the team's loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. According to multiple reports, including NFL insider Tom Pelissero, Surtain's Achilles is intact and he will undergo further testing, but all indications are he avoided a worst-case scenario.
The former Defensive Player of the Year went down without contact and the initial look was concerning. He needed the assistance of two trainers to leave the field and was walking gingerly to the locker room. While the early news is encouraging, he still seems likely to miss time and could spend time on injured reserve pending the full evaluation.
Surtain was not the only Broncos corner to exit the game. Fellow starter Riley Moss suffered a rib injury, was sidelined for the entire second half and was later ruled out. With both starters unavailable, Denver turned to former first-round pick Jahdae Barron and Kris Abrams-Draine. The 49ers did not throw much, but both held their own and Barron delivered a few physical tackles.
The depth will be tested quickly. Denver faces the 0-4 Los Angeles Chargers next Sunday, followed by a home game against the Seattle Seahawks on a short week on Thursday Night Football. With Moss and Ja'Quan McMillian on expiring contracts, Barron and Abrams-Draine are in line for significant playing time and a major opportunity to prove they can be trusted as starters moving forward.