The injury absence of cornerback Pat Surtain proved difficult to overcome for the Broncos.
On Sunday, in a 23-16 loss to the Chargers at Empower Field, Surtain was ruled out of the game in the first quarter with a concussion. It happened while defending a pass intended for wide receiver Ladd McConkey. Surtain’s helmet bounced off the grass while making a tackle.
It’s no coincidence the Broncos trailed 20-0 at halftime.
Surtain injured on this play. #LACvsDEN pic.twitter.com/yfsWXJjKw5 — Rate the Refs App (@Rate_the_Refs) October 13, 2024
“It was kind of a dark cloud over our heads,” cornerback Riley Moss said. “We’ve got to get out of that.”
Surtain entered as the reigning AFC Defensive Player of the Week after two interceptions (one returned 100 yards for a touchdown) against the Raiders. But then he entered the blue medical tent on Sunday — with hands placed on opposite sides of his helmet — after the Chargers’ first offensive play from scrimmage.
“He is in (concussion) protocol,” coach Sean Payton said postgame regarding Surtain. “Anytime you lose one of your top players, it is kind of the next man up and here we go. Not having had a chance to look at film to tell you how the other guys played, I know we struggled just getting off the field defensively on third down. We did not do a number of things well today.”
Levi Wallace certainly brought confidence as his replacement.
The seven-year NFL veteran, signed to the team in April, has appeared in more than 80 games between the Bills, Steelers and Broncos. Many projected Wallace to start before a hamstring injury in training camp opened the door for Riley Moss to earn the job.
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert still found little resistance through the air. He completed 21 of 34 passes for 237 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions.
“I’ve been with them since OTAs. Same defense. Just go out there and perform,” Wallace said. “We still had four quarters to play (after Surtain’s concussion). We want to go out there and execute. Obviously, we didn’t get that done. On both sides of the ball, we have to be better.”
It is unlikely Surtain is available in Week 7 against the Saints. He would need to pass NFL concussion protocols on a short turnaround with the game played on Thursday night in New Orleans.
The Broncos played improved second-half defense Sunday holding the Chargers to three points over the final two quarters. Is that enough to inspire confidence with Surtain’s availability uncertain?
“We all looked at each other in the locker room and said: Guys, we’re better than this, and we’re not going back to what we did last year,” Moss said. “Obviously, you hate to lose this game, but you cannot allow this game to affect … playing in New Orleans. It (stinks), yes. Laser focus this week and ready to roll on Thursday.”
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