Broncos get Surtain back at practice, but Greenlaw, Engram sit out

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — For the Denver Broncos, it was a good news/bad news day when it came to practice participation as they began getting ready for their first AFC West game of the 2025 season against the Los Angeles Chargers.

The good news? Cornerback Pat Surtain II practiced, three days after what he described a “tweak” of his ankle suffered in the second quarter of last Sunday’s 29-28 defeat to the Indianapolis Colts.

But while Surtain went about his work, inside linebacker Dre Greenlaw worked on a side field, five days after he finally practiced — albeit on a limited basis — as he works his way back from a quadriceps injury that he suffered July 31.

Also not practicing was tight end Evan Engram, who suffered a calf injury late in the Week 1 win over the Tennessee Titans but took part in all three days of Broncos practice last week. He’s now listed with a back injury.

BRONCOS HAVE YET TO SEE GREENLAW IN GAME-TIME ACTION

Greenlaw has been dealing with quadriceps issues since the spring. He suffered a quad strain in April that sidelined him throughout OTAs and minicamp, limiting him to walk-through work

The free-agent pickup then suffered a quad injury July 31 while covering running back J.K. Dobbins during a one-on-one drill. He was sidelined for two weeks before returning to practice for the final half of August, but did not take part in the preseason finale at New Orleans.

Greenlaw has now missed 17 of a possible 19 games since suffering a torn Achilles tendon during Super Bowl LVIII.

Also listed as not practicing was fellow inside linebacker Justin Strnad, who was seen during the stretching period to begin practice. He landed on the injury report with a foot issue.

ADKINS NEARS 2025 REGULAR-SEASON DEBUT

Meanwhile, tight end Nate Adkins continued ramping up towards his return from an ankle injury that necessitated “tightrope surgery” to aid in his recovery. He saw a full workload.

(Photo by Andrew Mason / Denver Sports)

Adkins saw limited work last Thursday and Friday at Broncos practice, representing his first on-field participation since the procedure in August. The Broncos elected to bypass putting him on injured reserve with a designation to return, with Sean Payton noting that the club expected him to return before the four-week minimum timeframe a player must spend on injured reserve.

Given the Broncos’ typical trends in the last two years of having a player practice on a limited basis for a week before bringing him back the subsequent week, this would put Adkins on a potential track to play Sunday in Inglewood, Calif., barring a setback.