Broncos Make Multiple Injury-Related Roster Moves

The Denver Broncos have made a number of injury-related moves to close out the week, as they’ve officially ruled out cornerbacks Pat Surtain II and Riley Moss while placing receiver Pat Bryant on injured reserve. 

The news about Surtain and Moss came from Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk, along with multiple other outlets. Surtain’s absence was a given in the runup to the Broncos’ road game on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers after he suffered an ankle injury, while Broncos coach Sean Payton initially expressed optimism that Moss wouldn’t have to be put on IR after he sustained a rib injury. Moss has been at practice this week but unable to participate. 

The news about Bryant was reported by Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post, and it was expected to be more severe. He sustained an ankle injury in Denver’s loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, and he’ll now be out for at least four games, with his soonest possible return coming in Week 9 when the Broncos play on the road against the Carolina Panthers on Nov. 8. 

The Broncos have plenty of cornerback depth, but it will now be severely tested. Jahdae Barron and Kris Abrams-Draine are the expected starters, but Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is having a poor season so far and may struggle to capitalize on the injuries. 

Bryant, meanwhile, was coming off a strong training camp and had worked his way into the Broncos’ regular receiver rotation. He goes on the IR with a total of nine catches for 33 yards and a touchdown, including three catches for 47 yards against the Niners. 

To replace Bryant, the Broncos have added receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey back to their 53-man roster, as he was initially released earlier in the week. This sequence of moves is familiar to Humphrey, who has been on and off the active roster multiple times this season, per Gabriel. 

The Chargers have some injury issues of their own to deal with, as Gabriel’s list included seven players out, with the most prominent ones being star safety Derwin James, offensive linemen Joe Alt and Trevor Penning and wide receiver Quentin Johnston. 

Los Angeles already put star tackle Rashawn Slater on injured reserve earlier in the week, while key skill position players including WR Ladd McConkey and TE Charlie Kolar  coming in as questionable.

The Broncos have also added rookie cornerback Brent Austin to thei roster, and they’ve signed safety Ugo Amadi to their practice squad.