Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week on Wednesday, following his performance in Week 5’s win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
Surtain recorded two tackles and a pair of interceptions, including a 100-yard pick-six in the second quarter to give the Broncos enough momentum to pull off a 34-18 victory. It was the second-longest pick-six in Denver history behind former cornerback Aqib Talib’s 103-yard interception return touchdown in 2017.
This is the second time Surtain has been named the conference’s defensive player of the week, and first since 2021 — his rookie season.
“It means a lot,” Surtain said. “It’s a recap of an amazing victory on Sunday. I’m very honored to get that award.”
The former Alabama standout is one of eight defensive players in the AFC to be named Player of the Week multiple times since 2021. He is the fifth Bronco player to receive the award more than once, joining Dre’Mont Jones, Von Miller, Karl Mecklenburg and Talib.
Ahead of the season, Surtain signed one of the largest contracts by a cornerback in NFL history, and so far he has lived up to it. Through five weeks, Surtain has totaled 14 tackles, two interceptions and four passes defended. Surtain allowed 10 catches for 109 receiving yards on 15 targets and a 48.3 passer rating.
He is the third player in team history to reach the 40 passes defended mark in his first four seasons.
Surtain’s early-season success has created some buzz about him potentially winning The Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year award. Surtain, however, is not ready to dwell on that narrative.
“I appreciate all the talk, but I feel I got a lot more work to do,” Surtain said.
Broncos OL in flux. The Broncos on Wednesday did not have center Luke Wattenberg (ankle) or RT Alex Palczewski (ankle) participating in practice.
Both left the win over the Raiders in the second half and neither returned.
Payton would only say, “we’ll see,” when asked Wednesday whether either was a candidate for injured reserve.
Left tackle Garett Bolles said he thinks the tight-knit nature of Denver’s offensive line group will help them overcome the losses should either or both be out against the Los Angeles Chargers.
“I think you can plug anyone in and they can get the job done,” Bolles said…. “Obviously we’re going to miss Luke, we’re going to miss ‘Palcho.’ We love those guys and we want them to get healthy, but we know the next guys’ up mentality.”
Second-year center Alex Forsyth told The Post he’s ready if his number is called after playing his first 10 offensive, regular-season snaps of his NFL career in the fourth quarter Sunday in Wattenberg’s place.
“Obviously you don’t know what’s going to happen so I just continue to prepare like I’ve always done and a lot of the guys in the o-line room have been helping each and every one of us prepare,” Forsyth said.
Reynolds out. Broncos receiver Josh Reynolds also didn’t practice Wednesday due to a hand injury. He’s missed some practice time while managing Achilles tendinitis this season but this is a new injury.
The severity is unclear, though Bolles, while answering a question about Denver’s pass-catchers, said, “it’s sad that we lost Josh but hopefully he can come back and be healthy.”
Estime, Mathis back to work. Running back Audric Estime (ankle) and cornerback Damarri Mathis (ankle) returned to practice today, opening the 21-day windows for each to be activated from injured reserve.
Each were full practice participants. Whenever each is activated from injured reserve, the Broncos will need a 53-man roster spot available.
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