Broncos' Little-Used Safety Delivers Game-Saving Tackle Against Chiefs

The Denver Broncos needed one more defensive stop to preserve their biggest victory of the season Sunday.

They got it from one of their least-used players.

Safety JL Skinner, who had played just two defensive snaps through Denver's first seven games, delivered a crucial tackle in the closing seconds of the Broncos' 28-24 comeback victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.

With Kansas City facing third-and-goal from the 1-yard line, Skinner burst through the line of scrimmage and stopped running back Kenneth Walker III for no gain.

The tackle kept the Chiefs out of the end zone and helped set up Denver's game-winning defensive stand.

According to the Broncos' official website, Skinner played nine defensive snaps Sunday after seeing just two over the previous seven weeks.

The fourth-year safety was pressed into action because of injuries throughout Denver's secondary.

Starting safety Brandon Jones aggravated a hamstring injury and was ruled out at halftime, leaving the Broncos without both starting safeties.

Fellow starter Talanoa Hufanga had already been sidelined by an ankle injury.

Those absences created an opportunity for Skinner, who primarily contributes on special teams.

As previously reported, Jones' injury forced Denver to rely heavily on its defensive depth against Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City's passing attack.

Skinner responded with one of the game's most important plays.

Following his third-down tackle, the Chiefs appeared to score on a fourth-down touchdown pass to Rashee Rice. However, a false-start penalty against offensive tackle Jaylon Moore nullified the play and pushed Kansas City back to the 6-yard line.

On the ensuing fourth-and-goal attempt, defensive tackle Malcolm Roach sacked Mahomes to end the game.

The goal-line stand completed Denver's comeback from an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit and moved the Broncos into first place in the AFC West at 6-2.

The victory also extended Denver's remarkable run of late-game comebacks behind Bo Nix.

Broncos coach Sean Payton praised the team's defensive depth Monday, emphasizing the importance of younger players stepping into larger roles.

"They've been significant for us," Payton said.

Skinner's contribution provided a compelling example.

After spending most of the season watching from the sideline, he helped deliver one of Denver's most important defensive plays of the year.