The Denver Broncos walked into the 2025 season with incredibly high expectations. However, those dreams have taken a major hit as their defensive superstar and last year’s defensive player of the year, Patrick Surtain II, seems to be down with a major injury.
After making the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade last year on the back of their defense, an extended absence from their defensive ace could signal doom for head coach Sean Payton’s chances of making it to the postseason, let alone making a deep run.
What Happened To Patrick Surtain II?
The first week of the season wasn’t an extremely good game for Denver. Going against first-round pick and Cam Ward, the team struggled but ultimately pulled out a win. In Week 2, they were hoping to fare better against a red-hot Indianapolis Colts team.
However, in the second quarter, they dealt with a massive blow. As James Boyd of The Athletic reported, “#Broncos CB Patrick Surtain II, the reigning AP Defensive Player of the Year, is being helped off the field and into the medical tent. He went down while grabbing at his lower left leg. Couldn’t put any weight on it.”
Pat Surtain II is down holding his lower leg, being looked at by Broncos training staff. pic.twitter.com/2ynAtNgZrQ
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) September 14, 2025
If the diagnosis turns out to be a long-term issue, it could severely impact the Broncos’ chances. Last year, as he led the charge, Denver finished as the number one-ranked unit in PFSN’s Defense Impact.
That trend continued in Week 1 as well, as they jumped out to an early lead to begin the year, finishing with a ridiculous 102.1 Defense Impact score, light years ahead of the league average of 73.8.
The theories about his condition are already out in full force. The growing sentiment is that Surtain may have suffered an ankle sprain trying to avoid contact with Michael Pittman Jr.’s leg.
Thankfully, the situation didn’t turn out to be too rough for the Broncos. It took him close to six minutes, but Surtain eventually donned his helmet and was back on the field for Denver before the half came to a close.
Broncos beat reporter Zac Stevens reported on X, “A big sigh of relief: Pat Surtain II is back on the field for the Broncos.”
