Broncos estimated injury report reveals a step forward for Riley Moss

The Broncos listed Riley Moss with limited practice participation in the estimated injury report they posted Monday, offering an initial sign that the fourth-year cornerback could return to action Thursday night against the Seattle Seahawks.

Moss, who suffered a rib injury in the Oct. 4 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, did not practice last week and was ruled out for the Week 5 win over the Los Angeles Chargers.

His return could provide the Broncos defense a needed boost as it prepares to face a Seahawks pass-catching corps headlined by Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the NFL’s reigning Offensive Player of the Year. Through five weeks, he’s making a strong case to repeat the honor, as he leads the NFL with 583 receiving yards — good for a 116.6-yards-per-game average — and seven receiving touchdowns.

But while the status of Moss is promising, the news was not as kind for two other Broncos secondary stalwarts battling ankle injuries.

BRONCOS ESTIMATE THAT SURTAIN, HUFANGA WOULD NOT HAVE PRACTICED MONDAY

Both cornerback Pat Surtain II and safety Talanoa Hufanga were listed as non-participants on the estimated report. Surtain, like Moss, did not practice last week after suffering an ankle injury late in the first half of the game against the 49ers.

Hufanga left Sunday’s game at the end of the third quarter with an ankle injury. After being announced as questionable to return, the Broncos subsequently ruled him out for the remainder of the game. Devon Key, a first-team All-Pro selection last year as a special-teams contributor, filled in for Hufanga.

Defensive end Sai’vion Jones, safety Brandon Jones and right guard Ben Powers also landed on the estimated report. Brandon Jones and Powers were listed as full-participation designations with foot and biceps injuries, respectively. Sai’vion Jones, who was active Sunday as the Broncos’ fifth defensive lineman, had limited participation in the estimation due to a shoulder problem.

Teams are required to issue injury reports on three days prior to each game, leading to the necessity of an estimated report for a day on which a club does not hold a practice. The Broncos gave players their league-mandated weekly off-day Monday after returning from Los Angeles.

There will be an actual practice Tuesday afternoon at Broncos Park Powered By CommonSpirit.

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