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JL Skinner #34 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a fumble recovery against the Los Angeles Chargers.
If there was a theme of the Denver Broncos’ 2025 season, it was overcoming adversity, often due to injuries at vital positions on the roster. To the surprise of many in Broncos Country, that includes safety JL Skinner.
Skinner just completed his third season with the Broncos, who drafted him out of Boise State.
It was a career year for the big-bodied defensive back on the field, a fact that is underscored following his remarkable revelation.
Broncos’ JL Skinner Makes Noteworthy Announcement
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Skinner was a sixth-round pick, taken 183rd overall by the Broncos in the 2023 draft. He has played in 33 career games, coming off the bench in all of them. He set or tied career highs with 12 total tackles and 1 fumble recovery in 17 games in 2025.
Unbeknownst to most, at least outside of the Broncos’ organization, Skinner was playing injured all season.
He announced on Instagram that he underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum.
“Whole season w my labrum tore all around,” Skinner captioned an image of himself on his Instagram story on February 10, adding “Just wait till we playin w no pain,” and “to win again” to his message.
Skinner’s announcement drew attention from multiple members of the Broncos beat, largely due to the surprising nature.
The Broncos are not expecting any of their players’ injuries to linger into training camp this year.
Skinner has had to bide his time on the back end of the Broncos’ depth chart, watching as they added Brandon Jones and Talanoa Hufanga in consecutive offseasons. He could need a particularly strong showing in training camp to earn more playing time.
Unique Size & Versatility Key for JL Skinner
GettySafety JL Skinner #0 of the Boise State Broncos.
In the NFL, players have to be useful in as many ways as possible. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein noted the versatility that Skinnder displayed for the Boise State Broncos in college.
“Interchangeable safety with above average run support talent and the versatility for multiple coverages,” Zierlein wrote in 2023. “He can line up over pass-catching tight ends and has the ball skills to make quarterbacks pay for off-target throws.
“Skinner should become an above average starter within a couple of seasons.”
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler echoed Zierlein about Skinner’s ceiling after the draft, noting the three-year collegiate starter had a “hybrid skill set.
“He would often line up in the box while also showing his range in the post and seeing snaps in the slot. Skinner is a long-striding athlete with cover range versus both the run and pass because of his unique size (not many safeties have an identical body type to AJ Green),” Brugler wrote in April 2023.
“Overall, Skinner needs to improve his anticipation and tighten up his take-on and tackling, but he is a glider with the physical toughness to play in the box and range to cover tight ends. He fits best as a nickel safety or low-hole player with the upside of an NFL starter.”
Skinner is entering the final season of his rookie contract.
The 2026 offseason and subsequent campaign figures to be critical for Skinner’s future as a member of the Broncos’ roster.
Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He’s based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter
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