ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos’ defense has been significantly impacted since second-year cornerback Riley Moss sustained an MCL injury during a matchup against Las Vegas in Week 12. Despite being known for its strong defensive line, the absence of Moss has forced the Broncos (9-6) to shift away from their traditional man coverage and instead rely more on zone strategies. Unfortunately, this adjustment has not yielded favorable outcomes on the field.
In a recent game against the Cleveland Browns, the Broncos allowed a staggering 32 points, with former teammate Jerry Jeudy racking up a personal best of 235 receiving yards on nine catches, which included a 70-yard touchdown. The situation was nearly worse in Week 15 when a last-minute fumble by Jonathan Taylor at the goal line prevented the Indianapolis Colts from extending their lead to 20-3. This defensive stroke of luck allowed the Broncos to reclaim momentum and ultimately secure the win.
Last week, the Broncos were unable to contain Justin Herbert, who orchestrated a comeback for the Los Angeles Chargers, turning a double-digit deficit into a 34-27 win. That loss thwarted the Broncos’ hopes of breaking an eight-year playoff drought, intensifying their need to secure a win against the Cincinnati Bengals this Saturday. The Bengals (7-8) are still vying for a chance to overtake the Broncos for a wild-card spot.
Moss has returned to practice after his injury, and the Broncos will assess his readiness for this weekend’s game, with indications suggesting he may take the field against an offense led by Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins. “Having him back is tremendous,” said Patrick Surtain II after practice. “He was performing at an incredibly high level before his injury, and seeing him regain his confidence boosts the whole team’s morale.”
This season, Moss has had a standout year with 71 tackles, eight pass breakups, and an interception across 12 starts. He made 14 appearances as a rotation player during his rookie season after recovering from core muscle surgery, which previously limited him to special teams duties. Coach Sean Payton emphasized the Broncos’ excitement surrounding Moss as a third-round pick out of Iowa, stating, “His presence opposite of Patrick drew a lot of attention. Throughout training camp, he demonstrated resilience and continued to perform well throughout the season.”
The Broncos’ defensive performance has noticeably declined without Moss, allowing an average of 26.3 points per game compared to 16.8 when he was active. The challenge posed by Burrow and Chase is anticipated to be greater than that presented by Cleveland’s Jeudy and Jameis Winston or by the Chargers’ Herbert and Ladd McConkey.
Regarding his MCL injury, it typically takes around a month for recovery from such sprains. Fortunately for the Broncos, their bye week earlier this month means that Moss may only have missed three games in total. If the team hopes to make a playoff appearance for the first time since winning Super Bowl 50, having a healthy Moss alongside Surtain will be crucial to avoid an early exit.
The Broncos recently faced further concerns when Surtain limped off the field due to an ankle injury during the contest against the Colts. Nevertheless, he practiced fully last week and showed no lingering issues against the Chargers.
Additionally, the Broncos parted ways with veteran cornerback Levi Wallace, who had been inactive for two weeks after suffering from performance setbacks. On a more positive note, they designated running back Tyler Badie to return from a back injury sustained during Week 4. Coach Payton mentioned his desire to add Wallace to the practice squad if he clears waivers.
