Denver Broncos All-Pro cornerback Patrick Surtain II, the NFL’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year, might land on the injured reserve with a left pectoral strain, multiple media outlets reported on Monday.
Per an ESPN report, Surtain will not play Sunday when the Broncos visit the Houston Texans and is expected to miss multiple games.
If he is moved to IR, Surtain — a two-time All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowl selection — would have to sit out a minimum of four games. The Broncos must make a roster move on Tuesday to restore Dre Greenlaw to the active roster after the linebacker served a one-game suspension, which could result in Surtain landing on IR.
Surtain was injured late in the first half of Sunday’s 44-24 victory over the visiting Dallas Cowboys. The 25-year-old former first-round pick attempted to tackle Dallas receiver George Pickens and had his left shoulder and arm twisted in the process.
“That’s a big deal, especially when a large part of your plan is dealing with rotation and matchups,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said Monday. “Then all of a sudden that one element goes away, it can be a little bit disruptive.”
Surtain was replaced in the second half by Kris Abrams-Draine, who made eight tackles and drew praise from Payton for his performance.
The No. 9 overall pick in the 2021 draft, Surtain has only missed two games in his NFL career. This season, he has 27 tackles and nine passes defensed in eight games.
Over 74 games (73 starts), Surtain has compiled 259 tackles, 11 interceptions (including two returned for touchdowns), 56 passes broken up and two forced fumbles.
