Broncos add Hufanga to injury report; questionable for Sunday night

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — Just as the Broncos get Pat Surtain II back from his pectoral-muscle injury, they now face the prospect of taking on the Washington Commanders without the ringleader on their back line of defense.

Safety Talanoa Hufanga was added to the injury report at midday Sunday with an illness, leaving his status questionable for the game.

Hufanga has been durable this season, playing all 11 games and 717 snaps in total — the second-highest tally on the Broncos defense behind cornerback Riley Moss.

“There is a physicality to him, and then there is a leadership skill set to him and an anticipation,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said earlier this month of Hufanga. “… He’s unique. He brings so much to the team aside from his skill set.

“Those are the players we are looking for, and we got a good one there.”

Now the Broncos must wait and see if they’ll have him available on Sunday night.

If Hufanga can’t play, P.J. Locke — a starter last year and for much of the 2023 season — is expected to take his place in the lineup.

Earlier this weekend, the team ruled edge rusher Jonah Elliss out with a hamstring issue. He had been listed as questionable on Friday’s injury report, but the Broncos downgraded him one day later.

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