The Denver Broncos will be without two Pro Bowlers when they face the Houston Texans on Sunday, down both cornerback Pat Surtain II and returner/wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr.
Both Surtain and Mims left Sunday’s 44-22 win over the Dallas Cowboys. The defensive star is dealing with a left pec strain, while Mims suffered a concussion.
NFL Network reported earlier this week news that the reigning Defensive Player of the Year is considered week to week, with the possibility of ending up on IR. He has not been placed on IR despite the Broncos needing a roster spot earlier this week. Another Insider gave PS2 a four to six week timeline, but avoiding IR could mean PS2 returns in just a few weeks.
PS2 was not on the field or in the Broncos’ bench area as the team opened the third quarter by allowing Dallas to march 65 yards in 13 plays to a touchdown that narrowed Denver’s lead to 27-17. That didn’t matter much, as the Broncos kept their rout on via an unstoppable offense.
Surtain was initially listed as questionable to return, but was subsequently ruled out of the game.
Second-year cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine replaced Surtain in the lineup. If PS2 is out for an extended period, it’ll put more pressure on Riley Moss and rookie Jahdae Barron.
“Pretty good, proud of them,” Payton said of the players stepping up. “You don’t like to see that happen, you never know when a player goes down, what the next man is up (is going to do.) Not going to discuss any of the players that were injured at all, but I was proud of the guys that had to go play.”
Next up at returner was also Moss, who fielded the last punt of the game. The Broncos have some interesting options for the role including third-string running back Jaleel McLaughlin.
Replacing Mims on offense brings in the names of some even younger offensive options like Pat Bryant and Troy Franklin.
Denver will also be down safety P.J. Lock and tight end Nate Adkins. With the secondary short the players named above will have to step up. Down a tight end, the Broncos may consider making Marcedes Lewis the lone 41-year-old tight end to ever appear in an NFL game, he was signed to the team’s practice squad this week.
