Broncos All-Pro CB Pat Surtain II Out 4-6 Weeks

The Denver Broncos are exceeding expectations this season with a 6-2 record that includes five straight wins.

Denver’s defense has a lot to do with the Broncos’ strong start, but to keep it going, they’ll have to do so without their best defensive player. Cornerback Pat Surtain II suffered a pectoral injury in Week 8’s blowout win over the Dallas Cowboys at Empower Field at Mile High.

#Broncos CB Patrick Surtain suffered a pectoral injury vs. the #Cowboys on Sunday and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks, per @Schultz_Report. pic.twitter.com/bq4HVL1lTi
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 27, 2025

Surtain II, the 2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, is expected to miss four to six weeks with the injury. Denver is deep at the cornerback position: with Riley Moss playing well and 2025 first round pick Jahdae Barron picking off a pass in last week’s win. But obviously, taking the best defensive player not only on your team, but in the league off of the field is sure to have negative impacts on the defense.

Denver’s upcoming schedule has them traveling to face the Houston Texans in Week 9, hosting the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 10 on Thursday Night Football, hosting the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 11 in a crucial AFC West matchup, enjoying a bye in Week 12, and then hitting the road to take on the Washington Commanders and the Raiders in Weeks 13 and 14.

With the minimum amount of time missed expected to be four weeks, it’s possible Surtain II misses just three games and returns after the Broncos’ Week 12 bye. This would be the best-case scenario, although missing Surtain II against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs would hurt.

The #Broncos are not planning to place reigning DPOY Pat Surtain II on Injured Reserve, source said, and it’s possible that he only misses 3 games with his pec strain.

Denver plays the #Texans, #Raiders, #Chiefs, then has a Week 12 bye. Surtain could return vs the #Commanders. pic.twitter.com/OEkVmEtRLz
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 29, 2025

Assuming Denver doesn’t implode over the next three games, I wouldn’t even rush Surtain II back for the games against Washington and Las Vegas. If Surtain II needs the upper end of the six-week timeline, so be it: better to have the All-Pro ready and healthy for a playoff run than to rush him back against a sub-.500 team.

What will the Broncos record be heading in to the bye week? Will Denver’s defense stay afloat without their stand-out captain? Join the conversation with Sakmann Sports on Twitter/X, on Facebook, or by commenting directly on this post!