Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II isn’t used to being out of the lineup, especially at this time of year. As the reigning Defensive Player of the Year and a two-time, first-team All Pro, Surtain knows his leadership is as important as his play on the field, and he’s ready to return tomorrow night against the Washington Commanders, despite the fact that he’s feeling a little ‘anxious.’

Surtain has missed the the last three games with a partially torn pectoral muscle, and he told Jeff Legwold of ESPN that the longest absence of his career was definitely a new experience. 

“No doubt, so it was a little different for me," Surtain said.

Fortunately, the Broncos managed to keep racking up wins. Surtan was replaced in the lineup by cornerbacks Kris Abrams-Draine and rookie Jahdae Barron, and all three games landed in the win column. The Broncos are currently riding an eight-game winning streak that has them at the top of the AFC West with the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Raiders both struggling occasionally. 

"Them guys, they exude a lot of confidence out there, they were playing lights out, it made me a fan to watch on the sidelines," Surtain said. "... You could tell everybody was together, flying around, playing good ball."

Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph will definitely be glad to have Surtain back. He’s had to alter his game plans and revise some of the personnel groupings, and while the secondary struggled occasionally, the plus side is that the backups got to experience some crucial game situations. 

"We kind of had those two young guys split Pat's role and it's worked out for both guys," Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said. "And moving forward it's huge for our team to have those guys play so many meaningful reps. To get Pat back now, we have no worries. Depth is what you have to have to win a championship, and we have that [at cornerback] now."

Surtain will likely have to be monitored in tomorrow night’s game against the Commanders. He sustained the injury against the Dallas Cowboys as he tried to wrestle receiver George Pickens to the ground after a Pickens reception. 

"At first, I didn't know the severity of it, obviously in the heat of the moment you don't know if it's a tear or a strain," Surtain said. "Got the best news I could get from it. ... I attacked rehab the right way, got it back stronger."