Broncos head coach Sean Payton battling a back issue, but will avoid surgery

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton is on the injury report.

Well, not officially, but Payton is indeed battling a back issue that has him in discomfort.

On Monday morning, fresh off a huge rally against the Jaguars, Payton elaborated about what’s going on in a conference call with local media.

Broncos coach Sean Payton won't need any surgery for the back issue he's dealing with, he explains. He said he had an epidural injection this summer, and "it really can get aggravated when you're standing for three and a half four hours." pic.twitter.com/MmnUnhSMWI

— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) September 21, 2026

Sean Payton said all the way back in 2013 he had a “little disc issue” from too much CrossFit or working out, but it flared up this summer.

That’s why on television he seems look uncomfortable when the cameras pan to him. No, it’s not Payton looking for his play-calling button, it’s the back that’s bothering him.

“I already had the little procedure, which is really like an injection, an epidural injection, so it really can get aggravated when you’re standing for three-and-a-half, four hours. There’s no surgery for the back,” Sean Payton said.

It’s obviously good that Payton isn’t having surgery, because questions would then arise about his ability to lead the football team. Still, this is another ailment that might need to be monitored all season long.

“I’ve got a toe issue. There are some other issues now that are rickety, but the stress on the back can be relieved if you get into that position. That actually 13 years ago was the first time that area, your 4-5 (disc), which was a specific location that can give you more of a radiating pain than a true pain, if that makes any sense,” Payton said.

Anyone who’s dealt with back or disc issues can sympathize with Sean Payton. Especially standing that long during a game and having it tighten up.

But for now, it sounds like the head coach will battle through it. Hopefully it doesn’t get worse as this potential Super Bowl season progresses along.

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