Surtain will wear harness, but is good to go for Sunday night

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Pat Surtain II will wear a harness Sunday night as he returns from a partial tear of his pectoral muscle, but nevertheless, it’s all good as the reigning Defensive Player of the Year is poised to return after missing three games.

“Right now, it’s not too many limitations. Obviously Imma keep it in the harness, but it allows me to play free, as well, nd play to the best of my ability,” Surtain said after completing a second-consecutive full practice workload Friday as the Broncos completed the bulk of of their on-field preparations for their Sunday Night Football game against the Washington Commanders.

The Broncos eschewed placing Surtain on injured reserve, and he admitted with “no doubt” that had it been the postseason, he could have pushed to return sooner than the four-week recovery timeframe.

“Obviously, we know we at a good state right now with the team, so, I took my time with it, but I also was anxious to get back,” Surtain said.

“So, I want to give credit to the training staff for allowing me to get better in the rehab facility.”

 

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SURTAIN” FILL-INS PLAYED ‘LIGHTS OUT”

Kris Abrams-Draine replaced Surtain in sub packages; rookie Jahdae Barron filled in for Surtain in the base defense.

“Them guys, they exuded a lot of confidence out there. Them dudes was playing lights out,” Surtain said. “And it made me a fan to watch on the sideline, just being out there, seeing from my lenses, those guys playing with full strength of confidence, and you could tell everybody was together, flying around, playing good ball.

“And when you look at stuff like that, it makes it even more and more exciting to get back out there with the guys.”

Even though he wasn’t playing, he was in the ears of Surtain and Abrams-Draine.

“I’m just always giving them feedback, just giving them positive affirmations through every good play, every miscue,” Surtain said.

“But them boys held it down. It wasn’t too many to correct because them boys played lights out. So, it felt good knowing that them boys went out there and just played with a full head of confidence.”

INJURY NOTES:

Tight end Nate Adkins was ruled out after not practicing this week, but he will not go on injured reserve, according to coach Sean Payton, and could return for next week’s game in Las Vegas … edge rusher Jonah Elliss practiced for a third-straight day and is questionable for Sunday.

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