5 takeaways from the Broncos 31-13 win over the Colts on Sunday

The Broncos got an important 31-13 win over the Colts on Sunday afternoon. Here are five quick takeaways from the victory.

The Denver Broncos improved to 9-5 on Sunday with a 31-13 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Here are five quick takeaways from the win.

1. The ground game continues to struggle: Before exiting the game with a quad injury, Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin rushed seven times for 21 yards. Javonte Williams was even worse, rushing six times for 15 yards. Denver quarterback Bo Nix ended up leading the team with 23 rushing yards despite losing two yards on kneel-downs to secure the win. The Broncos have to get more from their backfield down the stretch.

2. Injuries are piling up: The two most notable injuries for Denver are those to cornerbacks Pat Surtain (ankle) and Riley Moss (knee), but those aren’t the injuries to monitor this week. McLaughlin (quad) and defensive lineman D.J. Jones (finger) are also ailing, and guard Quinn Meinerz (shoulder) also left Sunday’s game before later returning. Playing on a short week, the Broncos’ medical staff will do its best to get the team’s banged-up players ready to go by Thursday.

3. Nik Bonitto for Defensive Player of the Year: Surtain has a case as well, but voters have demonstrated in the past that they love sacks. Bonitto now has 11.5 sacks on the year plus a 71-yard pick-six and a 50-yard fumble-six. Bonitto is now the first player to record at least 10 sacks and two defensive touchdowns in the same season since J.J. Watt in 2014. Watt won DPOY that season.

4. Bo Nix was resilient: The rookie certainly didn’t have a great game, throwing three interceptions. Nix, as usual, never hung his head. The quarterback bounced back and ended the day with three touchdown passes and four scoring drives. There will be plenty to learn from following Sunday’s game, but winning an ugly game is nothing to scoff at. Nix is working through his rookie growing pains and the QB is still trending in the right direction despite the turnovers against Indy.

5. The Broncos are legit: Denver has clinched its first winning season since 2016 and with a win against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football, the Broncos can clinch a playoff berth in Week 16. Sean Payton has the club just one victory away from their first postseason appearance since Denver won Super Bowl 50 following the 2015 season. With a play-making defense, the Broncos are the kind of team that could make some unexpected noise in the playoffs.

After facing the Chargers in Week 16, the Broncos will go on the road to take on the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17 before closing out the regular season at home against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 18.

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8 players did not play in Broncos’ win against Colts

Eight Broncos did not play against the Colts on Sunday, with Riley Moss being the most notable absence.

Eight members of the 53-man roster did not play in the Denver Broncos‘ 31-13 win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15.

Broncos quarterback Zach Wilson*, cornerback Riley Moss (knee), cornerback Levi Wallace, linebacker Levelle Bailey, guard/center Nick Gargiulo, offensive tackle Frank Crum and defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike were inactive on Sunday.

*Wilson was inactive but still dressed as an emergency third quarterback. Jarrett Stidham, Denver’s primary backup quarterback, Jarrett Stidham, also did not play as Bo Nix took every snap on offense, giving the Broncos eight total players who did not see the field. Stidham has only appeared in two games this season.

Broncos who did not play in Week 15

  1. QB Zach Wilson (*emergency third QB)
  2. CB Riley Moss (knee)
  3. CB Levi Wallace 
  4. LB Levelle Bailey 
  5. OL Nick Gargiulo
  6. OT Frank Crum
  7. DL Eyioma Uwazurike
  8. QB Jarrett Stidham (active)

Up next for Denver is a road game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football in Week 16.

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Broncos inactives: Levi Wallace won’t play today

After struggling against the Browns, Broncos CB Levi Wallace won’t play today. View the team’s complete inactives list here.

The Denver Broncos have announced their list of seven inactive players for Sunday’s showdown with the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15 of the 2024 NFL season.

The Broncos’ inactive players today are quarterback Zach Wilson*, cornerback Riley Moss (knee), cornerback Levi Wallace, linebacker Levelle Bailey, guard/center Nick Gargiulo, offensive tackle Frank Crum and defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike.

*Technically, Wilson is still available to play as the team’s emergency third-string quarterback behind starter Bo Nix and primary backup Jarrett Stidham, but he’s on the inactive list and does not count against the game-day roster. Wilson can play if both Nix and Stidham are injured.

With the exception of Wilson, these inactive players are members of the 53-man roster who are not eligible to play against the Colts. They will be reactivated on Monday.

Broncos inactives vs. Colts

  1. QB Zach Wilson (*emergency third QB)
  2. CB Riley Moss (knee)
  3. CB Levi Wallace 
  4. LB Levelle Bailey 
  5. OL Nick Gargiulo
  6. OT Frank Crum
  7. DL Eyioma Uwazurike

Sunday’s game will be regionally televised on CBS (view the TV map). Playing at home, the Broncos are considered favorites against the Colts.

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Is Riley Moss playing today? Injury updates for Broncos CB

Broncos cornerback Riley Moss (knee) won’t play against the Colts today.

Denver Broncos second-year cornerback Riley Moss went down with a knee injury against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 12 and he did not play against the Cleveland Browns in Week 13. Coming out of the bye week, here are the latest on his MCL status going into Week 15.

Riley Moss injury update

Moss has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts, so he won’t suit up today. He is the only player on Denver’s injury report who did not practice in any capacity last week.

How long will Riley Moss be out?

After the Raiders game, Broncos coach Sean Payton said the injury “wasn’t really serious,” but the cornerback has now missed two games. Perhaps the coach meant it wasn’t as serious as it could have been. After hosting the Colts on Sunday, Denver will have a short turnaround before facing the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football in Week 16. If that’s too soon for Moss to return, the extra rest after TNF might help him get back on the field in time for a Week 17 road game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Broncos cornerback depth chart

Levi Wallace started in the place of Moss against the Browns and he had, in his own words, the worst game of his life. Wallace was benched in favor of rookie Kris Abrams-Drain late in the game against Cleveland, but it remains to be seen who will play as the team’s No. 2 cornerback across from Pat Surtain this week. Ja’Quan McMillian continues to play in the slot. The Broncos also have Damarri Mathis and Tremon Smith providing additional depth at cornerback.

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Broncos injury report: Riley Moss ruled out for Week 15

Broncos CB Riley Moss (knee) did not practice on Friday. Should the team start Kris Abrams-Draine against the Colts?

After missing all three days of practice this week, Denver Broncos cornerback Riley Moss (knee) has been ruled out for a Week 15 showdown with the Indianapolis Colts.

Now the Broncos will have to determine who will start in Moss’ place against the Colts. In his own words, Levi Wallace had the worst game of his life filling in for Moss against the Cleveland Browns before Denver’s bye.

The Broncos will undoubtedly consider starting a different cornerback across from Pat Surtain this week, with rookie Kris Abrams-Draine a potential candidate.

As for the Colts, wide receiver Ashton Dulin (ankle) and offensive tackle Braden Smith (personal) have been ruled out for Week 15.

Denver’s complete injury report can be seen below. DNP = did not participate.

Player Wed Thur Fri Game Status
DB Brandon Jones (abdomen) Limited Limited Full
CB Tremon Smith (personal) Not listed Not listed Limited
CB Riley Moss (knee) DNP DNP DNP Out

Sunday’s game will be regionally televised on CBS (view the TV map). Playing at home, the Broncos are considered favorites against the Colts.

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Broncos injury report: Riley Moss did not practice Thursday

Broncos cornerback Riley Moss (knee) did not practice Thursday, putting his status for Sunday’s game in doubt.

Denver Broncos cornerback Riley Moss (knee) did not practice again on Thursday after also sitting out Wednesday’s session, putting his status in doubt for Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts.

Moss stretched before practice and then worked on a side field during the session. It’s a step in the right direction, but he’ll need to actually practice before suiting up to play again.

Levi Wallace started in the place of Moss in Denver’s last game and he struggled (he called it the worst game of his life). If Moss can’t play against the Colts, the Broncos will likely consider replacing Wallace in the lineup, perhaps with rookie Kris Abrams-Draine.

Denver’s complete Thursday injury report can be seen below. DNP = did not participate.

Player Wed Thur Fri Game Status
DB Brandon Jones (abdomen) Limited Limited
CB Riley Moss (knee) DNP DNP

The Broncos will practice again on Friday before releasing a final injury report with game statuses for Week 15.

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Broncos injury report: Riley Moss did not practice Wednesday

Broncos cornerback Riley Moss (knee) did not practice Wednesday.

Denver Broncos cornerback Riley Moss (knee) did not practice Wednesday. The cornerback stretched before the session, but he worked on the side during practice.

Levi Wallace filled in for Moss against the Cleveland Browns in Week 13. Wallace struggled against the Browns and was benched late in the game in favor of rookie Kris Abrams-Draine. It remains to be seen who would start against the Indianapolis Colts if Moss is unable to suit up on Sunday.

As for the Colts, wide receiver Josh Downs (shoulder) and center Tanor Bortolini (concussion) have returned to practice, and center Ryan Kelly (knee) and linebacker Jaylon Carlies (fibula) have been designated to return from injured reserve. Meanwhile, right tackle Braden Smith (personal) is not expected to be available for Sunday’s game.

Denver’s complete Wednesday injury report can be seen below. DNP = did not participate.

Player Wed Thur Fri Game Status
DB Brandon Jones (abdomen) Limited
CB Riley Moss (knee) DNP

The Broncos will practice again on Thursday and Friday before releasing a final injury report with game statuses for Week 15.

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Broncos make decision on free agent cornerback

The Broncos do not plan to sign cornerback Jerry Jacobs “at this time,” according to 9News.

After losing starting cornerback Riley Moss to a knee injury for an unknown period, the Denver Broncos brought in some potential depth for a workout on Monday.

Denver hosted free agent cornerback Jerry Jacobs at Broncos Park Powered by CommonSpirit for a workout on Dec. 9, but the 27-year-old defensive back left without a contract.

Jacobs was apparently a candidate to join the practice squad. Following the workout, though, “there are no plans to sign him at this time,” according to a report from KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.

Jacobs (5-11, 203 pounds) started 12 games for the Detroit Lions last fall, totaling 55 tackles, eight pass breakups and three interceptions. He spent time with the Los Angeles Rams this summer but did not make their 53-man roster.

If Moss remains sidelined against the Indianapolis Colts this week, the top cornerbacks on the depth chart will be Pat Surtain, Ja’Quan McMillian (slot), Levi Wallace, Kris Abrams-Draine, Damarri Mathis and Tremon Smith.

Wallace started in Week 13 but struggled and was eventually benched in favor of Abrams-Draine. Many fans in Denver would like to see the rookie leapfrog Wallace on the depth chart, but Broncos coach Sean Payton rarely announces such changes (if such a decision is made).

Denver’s first injury report of the week will arrive on Wednesday afternoon, providing an update on Moss’ status going into Week 15.

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Broncos coach Sean Payton pleased with CB Kris Abrams-Draine

Kris Abrams-Draine made his NFL debut against the Browns and Broncos coach Sean Payton was pleased with the cornerback’s performance.

After being picked by the Denver Broncos in the fifth round of this year’s NFL draft out of Missouri, cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine was inactive for the team’s first 12 games of his rookie campaign.

Against the Cleveland Browns in Week 13, with cornerback Riley Moss (knee) sidelined, Abrams-Draine made Denver’s game-day roster for the first time this season. Levi Wallace started in the place of Moss but he struggled and was benched late in the game in favor of Abrams-Draine.

The rookie cornerback was penalized in his brief appearance, but the call was disputed, and Abrams-Draine turned in an impressive overall performance.

“Good,” Broncos coach sean Payton said Monday when asked about the cornerback’s NFL debut. “He’s smart. He has a savviness to him. I think he’s getting stronger physically.

“I thought he handled his role [well] Monday night, going in there and playing. I thought he had a pretty good game in the kicking game. That’s important. So overall, I was pleased.”

Abrams-Draine played 12 snaps on defense and 12 snaps on special teams, ending the game with one tackle. If Moss also misses Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Abrams-Draine leapfrog Wallace on the depth chart.

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Broncos work out free agent cornerback following Riley Moss injury

Following the Riley Moss injury, the Broncos brought in cornerback Jerry Jacobs for a workout.

The Denver Broncos might be on the verge of adding reinforcements at cornerback.

The Broncos worked out free agent cornerback Jerry Jacobs on Monday, according to a report from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. The workout happened coming out of Denver’s bye following the Riley Moss MCL injury.

Jacobs (5-11, 203 pounds) entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of Arkansas with the Detroit Lions in 2021. He spent three years in Detroit, totaling 131 tackles, 23 pass breakups, four interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 40 games (29 starts).

The Los Angeles Rams signed Jacobs in July but he was later waived during roster cuts in August. After starting 12 games for the Lions last fall, the 27-year-old cornerback has remained a free agent for the 2024 season.

Jacobs is a candidate to join the Broncos’ practice squad, according to the Denver Gazette‘s Chris Tomasson. They have an opening on the practice squad after losing linebacker Kwon Alexander to the Lions.

Levi Wallace started in Moss’ place against the Cleveland Browns in Week 13. Wallace struggled and was eventually benched in favor of rookie Kris Abrams-Draine. Denver might not be on the verge of adding more depth and competition at the position.

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