The veteran safety is getting second medical opinions but season-ending surgery is a possibility. P.J. Locke, Devon Key, JL Skinner are next up.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Broncos have confirmed one significant injury from their victory Sunday against the Packers as starting safety Brandon Jones was placed on injured reserve with with a pectoral injury.

That means Jones will miss at the very least the final three games of the regular season and the first week of the AFC playoffs. If the Broncos secure a first-round bye — they currently have the AFC’s No. 1 seed — then that would count as the fourth game missed for IR policy purposes, so Jones in theory could be available for the Broncos’ second-round Divisional Round game.

However, sources tell 9NEWS Jones may not be able to return at all this season. The injury is more severe than the pec injury Pat Surtain II suffered at midseason. Surtain missed three games. Jones is in the process of getting second medical opinions regarding his injury. The hope is he can avoid season-ending surgery, but that is a possibility, sources say.

Jones played the entire first half against the Packers and didn’t seem to show any discomfort on the final plays. However, as he cooled down during the halftime intermission, the pain in his chest area increased. MRI exams revealed the seriousness of his injury.


P.J. Locke played the entire second half in place of Jones and played well. The Broncos have decent safety depth. Locke was a safety starter through the second half of 2023 and all of 2024 before he was replaced by newly signed free agent Talanoa Hufanga this year.

Behind Locke is Devon Key and JL Skinner, plus Delarrin Turner-Yell, who is on the practice squad. 

One other injury the Broncos are concerned about regards inside linebacker Justin Strnad. He suffered what appeared to be a serious right ankle injury early in the game against the Packers and didn’t return. It would appear Strnad may miss a week or two, although it’s worth noting he was not placed on IR on Monday as Jones was.

Running back RJ Harvey suffered a rib injury late in the game but it didn’t seem to be overly serious.