Broncos Get Encouraging Pat Surtain II Injury Update

The Denver Broncos appear to have received encouraging early news about star cornerback Pat Surtain II.

Surtain is believed to have avoided a long-term injury after leaving Sunday's loss to the San Francisco 49ers with a non-contact right ankle injury, according to Tom Pelissero.

Surtain's Achilles is intact, according to the report, although further evaluation is expected to determine the extent of the injury.

The two-time All-Pro went down without contact late in the first half of Denver's 24-14 loss at San Francisco. He was helped off the field and initially listed as questionable, but the Broncos ruled him out for the rest of the game.

The injury was particularly concerning because of how it happened. Surtain had also been remarkably durable early in the season.

He had played every one of Denver's 214 defensive snaps through the first three games before Sunday, according to the Denver Gazette.

Surtain wasn't the only starting cornerback Denver lost.

Riley Moss exited with a rib injury in the second quarter and was also ruled out, forcing Jahdae Barron and Kris Abrams-Draine into expanded roles.

The injuries proved costly after halftime. The Broncos and 49ers were tied 3-3 at the break before San Francisco scored 21 points in the second half in Denver's 24-14 loss.

“I would say it probably impacts the defense when both your corners are down coming into the second half,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said after the game, according to the Denver Gazette.

Denver also lost wide receiver Pat Bryant to an ankle injury in the third quarter. Bryant was carted off after making a 30-yard reception, and there is also early optimism that he avoided a season-ending injury.

The Broncos should learn more about both players after further testing.

For Surtain, though, the initial indication that his Achilles is intact and that the injury isn't expected to be long-term is welcome news after what initially looked like it could be a devastating injury to the Denver defense.