The Denver Broncos will be without cornerback Pat Surtain II for at least a month after he left Sunday’s 44-22 win over the Dallas Cowboys with a left pec strain.
NFL Network reported the news, considering the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, week to week, with the possibility of ending up on IR. While another Insider gave a four to six week timeline.
The news is actually slightly positive for the Broncos, knowing they’ll likely get PS2 back this year, and it’s not a significant injury to their star player.
#Broncos CB Patrick Surtain II, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, suffered a pec strain in the win over the #Cowboys, per me and @TomPelissero.
He’s considered week-to-week and he could land on IR. But solid news. pic.twitter.com/khP7zi6ijs
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 27, 2025
Sources: #Broncos star CB Patrick Surtain II is dealing with a pectoral injury and is expected to miss 4–6 weeks.
No surgery is needed, but I’m told the reigning Defensive Player of the Year will get a second opinion this week to confirm the timeline. pic.twitter.com/VeaYpWpyjF
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) October 27, 2025
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.”
Surtain is one of, if not the best, cover corner in the NFL. The Broncos travel to Houston, then host the Raiders in the coming two weeks, both offenses which have struggled thus far. After that, there’s a big-time bout between the Broncos and the reigning AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs — Denver will certainly hope PS2 is back by then, but if not, they’ll be on bye right after.
Pat Surtain II was injured twice against Dallas
The left-shoulder issue was the second injury incurred by Pat Surtain II during Sunday’s game. After the Broncos’ third defensive play, he was helped off the field by team medical personnel after landing awkwardly on his lower right leg after breaking up a pass intended for Dallas wide receiver George Pickens.
Surtain quickly returned to the field on the subsequent defensive series after that initial injury and posted five tackles in the first half before injuring his shoulder.
The injury likely means that Surtain won’t repeat as a DPOY, but fellow Broncos star defender Nik Bonitto is among the favorites as of now.
