Tag: Riley Moss

Broncos release Tuesday injury report ahead of ‘TNF’

Broncos CB Pat Surtain (concussion) did not practice on Tuesday and he seems unlikely to play on Thursday.

The Denver Broncos practiced on Tuesday for the first time this week ahead of their Thursday Night Football clash with the New Orleans Saints in Week 7.

Broncos right tackle Alex Palczewski (ankle) practiced on a limited basis, giving him an uncertain status for Thursday. Denver cornerback Pat Surtain (concussion) seems unlikely to play on Thursday after being the only player to not participate in Tuesday’s practice.

View the Broncos’ complete Tuesday injury report below. Note that Denver did not practice on Monday, but the team released an estimated practice report. DNP = did not participate.

Player Injury Mon (estimate) Tue Wed Game Status
CB Damarri Mathis Ankle Full Full
LB Justin Strnad Ribs Full Full
CB Ja’Quan McMillian Ankle Limited Full
CB Riley Moss Hip Limited Full
OT Alex Palczewski Ankle Limited Limited
CB Pat Surtain Concussion DNP DNP
OT Mike McGlinchey Knee Not listed Limited
OLB Baron Browning Foot Not listed Limited

The Broncos also opened the 21-day window for right tackle Mike McGlinchey (MCL) and outside linebacker Baron Browning (foot) to return from injured reserve on Tuesday. Denver cornerback Damarri Mathis (ankle) is also eligible to return from IR this week.

Denver will hold another light practice on Wednesday before releasing a final injury report with game statuses for Thursday’s game in New Orleans.

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Broncos release estimated Monday injury report ahead of ‘TNF’

The Broncos did not practice on Monday, but they released an estimated injury report because they play on Thursday this week.

The Denver Broncos did not practice on Monday, but NFL rules require the team to release injury reports in the three days leading up to each game, so the Broncos released an estimated injury report today ahead of a Thursday Night Football clash with the New Orleans Saints.

Of note, right tackle Alex Palczewski (ankle) is listed as a projected limited participant, which is a positive sign after he missed Sunday’s game. Mike McGlinchey (MCL) is eligible to return from injured reserve this week, and we’ll know more about his status perhaps as early as tomorrow.

Denver cornerback Damarri Mathis (ankle) is also eligible to return from IR, which is good timing because Pat Surtain (concussion) seems unlikely to be cleared in time for Thursday’s game.

View the Broncos’ complete (estimated) injury report below.

Player Injury Mon (estimate) Tue Wed Game Status
CB Damarri Mathis Ankle Full
LB Justin Strnad Ribs Full
CB Ja’Quan McMillian Ankle Limited
CB Riley Moss Hip Limited
OT Alex Palczewski Ankle Limited
CB Pat Surtain Concussion DNP

Denver will hold light practices on Tuesday and Wednesday before releasing a final injury report with game statuses for Thursday’s game in New Orleans.

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Broncos PFF grades: Best, worst players from loss to Chargers

Levi Wallace (92.0) stepped up at cornerback after the Broncos lost Pat Surtain to a concussion on Sunday.

Following the Denver Broncos‘ 23-16 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 6, Pro Football Focus has released grades for each player.

PFF grades players on a 0 (worst) to 100 (best) scale. Check out the best and worst of Week 6 below.

Best Offensive Players 

  • WR Courtland Sutton: 85.3
  • OT Matt Peart: 81.7
  • G Quinn Meinerz: 81.0
  • QB Bo Nix: 78.7
  • G Ben Powers: 70.4

Sutton had an impressive one-handed touchdown catch and Peart filled in well at right tackle. Wide receiver Devaughn Vele (68.4) was the sixth-highest graded player on offense, followed by left tackle Garett Bolles (66.2) and running back Audric Estime (62.9).

Best Defensive Players 

  • CB Levi Wallace: 92.0
  • DL Malcolm Roach: 87.1
  • OLB Jonathon Cooper: 81.6
  • DB Brandon Jones: 76.2
  • OLB Jonah Elliss: 75.7

Wallace stepped up after the team lost Pat Surtain to a concussion. Meanwhile, the team’s pass rush continues to impress.

Worst Offensive Players 

  • RB Javonte Williams: 38.3
  • TE Adam Trautman: 49.2
  • TE Lucas Krull: 49.6
  • WR Marvin Mims: 55.1
  • C Alex Forsyth: 57.1

Williams lost a fumble and dropped a pass and Estime played well. Perhaps we’ll see more of the rookie going forward. Looking ahead to 2025, tight end will likely be a top position of need for the Broncos.

Worst Defensive Players 

  • OLB Nik Bonitto: 46.0
  • CB Ja’Quan McMillian: 50.1
  • LB Cody Barton: 52.4
  • DB P.J. Locke: 55.5
  • DL Jordan Jackson: 55.8

McMillian struggled after Surtain left the game and Locke has now had consecutive weeks ranking among the worst defenders in Denver. The Broncos will need McMillian and Locke to bounce back on Thursday.

Special Teams 

  • ST Kristian Welch: 84.6
  • LS Mitchell Fraboni: 84.6
  • R Marvin Mims: 63.1
  • K Wil Lutz: 63.3 (FG) 60.0 (KO)
  • P Riley Dixon: 69.4

You can view grades for every player on the paid version of PFF’s website.

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Broncos depth chart for Sunday’s game vs. Chargers

Here’s a look at the Broncos’ depth chart for Sunday’s game against the Chargers.

After making a flurry of roster moves earlier this week, the Denver Broncos have set their 53-man roster ahead of Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Broncos have not yet officially updated their depth chart, but we have unofficially added the new players where they are expected to land.

So with the context in mind that this is not completely official, here’s a look at Denver’s depth chart ahead of the team’s AFC West showdown with Los Angeles.

Broncos offensive depth chart

WR Marvin Mims Troy Franklin
LT Garett Bolles Cam Fleming
LG Ben Powers Alex Palczewski
C Alex Forsyth Calvin Throckmorton
RG Quinn Meinerz Alex Palczewski
RT Matt Peart Frank Crum Cam Fleming
TE Adam Trautman Greg Dulcich Lucas Krull
WR Courtland Sutton Lil’Jordan Humphrey Devaughn Vele
RB Javonte Williams Jaleel McLaughlin Audric Estime Blake Watson
FB Michael Burton Nate Adkins
QB Bo Nix Jarrett Stidham Zach Wilson

Broncos defensive depth chart

DE Zach Allen Jordan Jackson
NT D.J. Jones Malcolm Roach
DE John Franklin-Myers Eyioma Uwazurike
SLB Jonathon Cooper Jonah Elliss
WLB Nik Bonitto Dondrea Tillman
ILB Justin Strnad Kristian Welch
ILB Cody Barton Levelle Bailey
LCB Pat Surtain Levi Wallace Tremon Smith
RCB Riley Moss Kris Abrams-Draine
NCB Ja’Quan McMillian
S P.J. Locke JL Skinner Tanner McCalister
S Brandon Jones Devon Key Keidron Smith

Broncos special teams depth chart

PK Wil Lutz
KO Wil Lutz
P Riley Dixon
H Riley Dixon
LS Mitchell Fraboni
KR Marvin Mims Tremon Smith Jaleel McLaughlin
PR Marvin Mims Tremon Smith

The Broncos’ game against the Chargers will be regionally televised on CBS. Despite playing at home with a three-game winning streak, Denver is considered an underdog against L.A. this week.

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Ryan Clark praises Broncos CB Riley Moss in entertaining video

“This is a minority at the position!” Clark said of Riley Moss. “He became the first white cornerback to have an interception in 22 years!”

During a recent episode of Inside the NFL on the CW, former NFL safety Ryan Clark named Denver Broncos cornerback Riley Moss his “Football Guy” of the week.

Clark praised Moss for his play and mentioned what has been a trending topic in Broncos Country: Moss is a rare white cornerback.

“I’m going to read to you some of his stats: 19-for-31 when targeted, only 179 yards allowed on the entire season,” Clark said. “He has three pass defensed. He also had an interception last week against Gardner Minshew. He is one of 15 cornerbacks that have been targeted 30-plus times because he plays opposite Pat Surtain.

“But, wait, guys! I buried the lede! He’s white! He is a white [cornerback]! This is a minority at the position! Do you know the struggles this man had to go through? … He trusted the dream and this week when picking off Gardner Minshew, he became the first white cornerback to have an interception in 22 years! Since my teammate in 2022 Jason Sehorn.”

Clark then joked to Bill Belichick that the former coach was “like the Rosa Parks for [Moss].”

Clark played in the NFL from 2002-2014, winning Super Bowl XLIII with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2009. Moss was picked by Denver in the third round of last year’s NFL draft out of Iowa. A first-year starter, Moss has had an excellent start to the 2024 season.

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Broncos star CB Pat Surtain ‘very proud’ of breakout CB Riley Moss

“I’m very proud of him as a player of what he’s become so far,” Broncos star cornerback Pat Surtain said of breakout cornerback Riley Moss.

Denver Broncos second-year cornerback Riley Moss is having a breakout season playing across from Pro Bowl cornerback Pat Surtain.

Moss has undoubtedly benefited from watching and learning from Surtain, but the star cornerback doesn’t want to take credit for Moss’s success.

“It’s been an honor to really watch him grow and become the player that he is today,” Surtain said this week. “I wouldn’t take full credit into what he’s done because all the work comes from him. His dedication, his grind, his effort and his willingness to work. That’s all up to him.

“He puts the work in behind the scenes, and a lot of that credit goes to him. For him to be able to display it now in game situations and making plays, I’m very proud of him as a player of what he’s become so far.”

Through five games this season, Moss has four pass breakups, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Quarterbacks have posted an average passer rating of 72.8 when targeting Moss this fall. The 24-year-old cornerback is off to a brilliant start in his second season.

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Broncos release depth chart for Week 6 game vs. Chargers

Here’s a look at the Broncos’ depth chart for Sunday’s game against the Chargers.

After making a flurry of roster moves earlier this week, the Denver Broncos have set their 53-man roster ahead of Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

The team made multiple changes to the practice squad, but the only active roster change so far this week was linebacker Levelle Bailey getting promoted from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.

Following that change, here’s a look at the Broncos’ updated depth chart going into this week’s AFC West showdown with the Chargers.

Broncos offensive depth chart

WR Josh Reynolds Marvin Mims Troy Franklin
LT Garett Bolles Matt Peart
LG Ben Powers Alex Palczewski
C Luke Wattenberg Alex Forsyth
RG Quinn Meinerz Alex Palczewski
RT Alex Palczewski Frank Crum
TE Adam Trautman Greg Dulcich Lucas Krull
WR Courtland Sutton Lil’Jordan Humphrey Devaughn Vele
RB Javonte Williams Jaleel McLaughlin Blake Watson
FB Michael Burton Nate Adkins
QB Bo Nix Jarrett Stidham Zach Wilson

Broncos defensive depth chart

DE Zach Allen Jordan Jackson
NT D.J. Jones Malcolm Roach
DE John Franklin-Myers Eyioma Uwazurike
SLB Jonathon Cooper Jonah Elliss
WLB Nik Bonitto Dondrea Tillman
ILB Justin Strnad Kristian Welch
ILB Cody Barton Levelle Bailey
LCB Pat Surtain Levi Wallace Tremon Smith
RCB Riley Moss Kris Abrams-Draine
NCB Ja’Quan McMillian
S P.J. Locke JL Skinner
S Brandon Jones Devon Key Keidron Smith

Broncos special teams depth chart

PK Wil Lutz
KO Wil Lutz
P Riley Dixon
H Riley Dixon
LS Mitchell Fraboni
KR Marvin Mims Tremon Smith Jaleel McLaughlin
PR Marvin Mims Tremon Smith

The Broncos’ game against the Chargers will be regionally televised on CBS. Despite playing at home with a three-game winning streak, Denver is considered an underdog against L.A. this week.

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Riley Moss says Broncos’ defense can still improve

“There’s still some things we’ve got to clean up. We shouldn’t have given up that many points. There’s still some stuff to get after.”

Five weeks into the 2024 NFL season, the Denver Broncos have one of the best defenses in the NFL. And there’s still room for improvement.

Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph loves to blitz, and he’s able to do so frequently because Denver’s defensive backs hold up in man coverage. In those scenarios, though, all it takes is one missed pass breakup or one missed tackle to give up a big play.

That’s what happened against the Las Vegas Raiders last week when safety P.J. Locke misjudged a pass to tight end Brock Bowers, who went 57 yards for a touchdown. That’s the kind of play the Broncos can get cleaned up.

“It’s one of those things where you need to be present,” cornerback Riley Moss said of the defense’s approach. “Mentally, physically, every day. You want your work days, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, to be harder than the game so when you come into the game, it’ll be a lot easier.

“That’s kind of the mentality that our entire defense has had. It has been working, but there’s still some things we’ve got to clean up. We shouldn’t have given up that many points. There’s still some stuff to get after.”

Denver ended up winning last week’s game 34-18, but Moss wasn’t satisfied with the defense’s performance. The unit will look to take another step forward when the Broncos host the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 6.

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5 Broncos players to watch in Week 6 vs. Chargers

The 3-2 Broncos are coming off three straight superb wins. In Week 6, the Chargers have several Broncos players to keep an eye on in Denver.

We’ve got a big Week 6 matchup between two AFC West opponents in the Chargers and Broncos. A month into the season, and the two squads are in the thick of the AFC Wild Card race.

This matchup could be a deciding factor in earning a playoff spot later this season. With that, here are a few Broncos players to watch for Sunday’s key contest.

RB Javonte Williams

Williams is finally looking like his old self now over two years removed from a significant knee injury. He looked mostly ineffective in the first few weeks, but the former Tar Heel has seen his burst reappear in recent weeks. He’s been able to run the ball much better for an average of 4.8 yards per carry in the last two games. Williams is still searching for his first touchdown of the season, but he’s still someone that the Chargers defense will need to contain in Week 6.

WR Troy Franklin

This one is a bit of a sleeper, as the rookie has just five catches for 29 yards this season. Franklin was just selected in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft out of Oregon where he played with Broncos quarterback Bo Nix. The rookie duo just barely missed on a deep ball touchdown last week, which could be a sign of things to come. Franklin has the speed that should keep the Chargers’ defense honest.

DL Zach Allen

His name still goes a bit under the radar to casual fans, but he’s quietly having an elite 2024 campaign. The six-year veteran has established himself as one of the best defensive linemen in football. The Chargers cannot allow him to take over this game or else it could be a long day. In five games this season, Allen has registered three sacks, five tackles for loss, and 12 quarterback hits.

LB Justin Strnad

Due to injuries, Strnad has stepped into the starting lineup in the last two games. He’s played awfully well, particularly in the run game. In the two starts, he has had 13 total tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack. Strnad’s impact on Sunday’s game will play a deciding factor in who wins this divisional tilt.

CB Riley Moss

Pat Surtain II gets the attention in this secondary, but Moss has been phenomenal in 2024. The two have formed arguably the best cornerback duo in the NFL through the first month of the season. The Iowa product snagged his first career interception in Week 4, and Pro Football Focus ranks him as the seventh-best cornerback in 2024. In other words, the Chargers may have some trouble throwing the ball at these Broncos cornerbacks.

Broncos CB Riley Moss makes ESPN’s All-Film Team

Broncos second-year cornerback Riley Moss has turned a lot of heads as he plays opposite star corner Pat Surtain.

After a solid first five games of the season, Denver Broncos cornerback Riley Moss continues to make a big impression on NFL analysts.

ESPN’s Ben Solak recently named Moss to his All-Film Team. Here’s what the analyst had to say about the defensive back:

The Broncos walked into the season with an elite outside cornerback in Pat Surtain II, a great nickel corner in Ja’Quan McMillian and uncertainty at the last cornerback position,. They wanted Moss to fill that spot; he was a 2023 third-rounder who couldn’t break the starting lineup last season after missing time in the summer because of injury. Four weeks in, Moss is all they wanted and more: physical at the catch point, great as a tackler and able to find the football.

Moss also had a big game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 5. He had four total tackles (three solo), defended two passes, and snagged the first interception of his career.

Moss will look to perform against a high-powered quarterback in Week 6, facing off against Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers.

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