When it comes to playing cornerback, Denver Broncos star Pat Surtain II is known for being aggressive. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year takes on the other team’s best receiver on a weekly basis, and now Surtain is approaching his rehab from a pectoral strain with exactly the same kind of mindset. 

“I’m going to attack rehab,’’ Surtain said in his weekly podcast, with his quotes featured in a piece written by Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette. “Look to get better. Look to get stronger.  … Minor setback. I’m going to get back right. … Your boy is going to be back out there in no time.”

Surtain is currently spending most of his time riding a stationary bike, but he is actively involved in helping his replacements with the Broncos’ defensive game plan against the Houston Texans this week. 

Coach Sean Payton knows he needs to pump the brakes on Surtain’s situation, however. He basically said nothing when asked if Surtain was a candidate to go on injured reserve to get him completely healthy for Denver’s stretch run. 

“We’ve discussed, obviously we’ve had those discussions,’’ he said.

The immediate concern besides Surtain’s rush to return is getting his replacements ready. The Broncos struggled in coverage against the Dallas Cowboys when Surtain went out, and defensive back Kris Abrams-Draine is a key replacement who will need to step up. 

“He’s extremely intelligent and I would say he might have the best hands on this team,’’ Payton said of the second-year man. “He’s got elite ball skills.”

The other new secondary member who’ll be filling in is Reese Taylor, who’s been a cornerback on the practice squad. Surtain has been working with him, and so are the receivers as the Broncos continue to prepare for the Texans. 

“He’s going to be definitely in their ear, helping (defensive backs) in the meeting rooms and helping them at practice understanding the best ways to go out there and have success,’’ said wide receiver Courtland Sutton.

Most of the media emphasis this week has been on the Texans’ top-rated defense, which will challenge quarterback Bo Nix in new ways. 

But Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud threw for 319 yards and two touchdowns in the Texans' 26-15 win over the San Francisco 49ers last week, and he’ll doubtless be targeting Abrams-Draine, Taylor and rookie cornerback Jahdae Barron, who may be a candidate shift over from the slot to fill Surtain’s big shoes on the outside.