The worst weekend in Denver sports history bled into Monday.
Denver Broncos linebacker Drew Sanders, 23, tore his Achilles tendon, as first reported by Mike Klis of 9News. The injury reported occurred in April, prior to the NFL Draft. The Broncos kept the injury quiet, but with offseason team activities set to begin this week, his absence would have been noted.
According to Klis, Sanders underwent successful surgery. A typical recovery from an Achilles tear for an NFL player lasts nine to 12 months, but the timeline varies. In 2022, running back Cam Akers returned to the field in less than six months.
In other words, a return by mid-October is possible, but don’t be surprised if Sanders doesn’t play at all in the 2024 season.
Sanders, a third-round pick out of Arkansas in 2023, had a disappointing rookie season. His first major action came in the Broncos blowout Week 3 loss to the Miami Dolphins, subbing in at inside linebacker for an injured Josey Jewell. Sanders held the same role in Week 4 but returned to a backup role in Week 5.
Sanders provided more to the team after a midseason change to outside linebacker. From Week 12 on, Sanders was part of the outside linebacker rotation. While he wasn’t a game-changer, he looked like he belonged on the field by the end of the season.
Sanders appeared poised to stick outside, although there was a chance he could move back inside. Questions about his true position have existed since the draft. In college, he played a hybrid position that meant he was accustomed to making the reads required of an inside linebacker but didn’t appear to be a true edge rusher either. At 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, Sanders has all of the physical tools, but he’s a bit of a project.
So, what are the Broncos losing?
Sanders’ primary role probably would have been as a sub-package defender. He’s at his best blitzing the interior of the offensive line, and he’s athletic enough to drop off the line of scrimmage and cover, although those skills weren’t refined by the end of the season.
Sanders probably would have fit in as an outside linebacker in the Broncos’ base 3-4 defense, thanks to his growth as a run defender. By the end of the season, he appeared to be comfortable setting the edge. There’s an outside chance he could have earned a starting job in the base defense.
Sanders was unlikely to return to inside linebacker since he struggled there early last season. But, if he did, there was a chance he could earn the starting job next to Drew Sanders, although both Cody Barton and Jonas Griffith would have better odds.
Without Sanders, the Broncos’ rotation at outside linebackers is clearer. Baron Browning, Jonathon Cooper, Nik Bonitto and Jonah Elliss will rotate on the edge. Denver’s decision to draft an edge rusher in the third round was somewhat of a surprise given the depth in the room, but it makes sense given that Sanders had already torn Achilles.
Outside linebacker will be the most volatile position on the roster over the next 12 months. Both Browning and Cooper are in the final year of their deals. That leaves Bonitto, Elliss and Sanders on the roster for the 2025 season, plus a few practice squad and undrafted options. The Broncos will probably need both Bonitto and Elliss to prove they will be ready for starting jobs in 2025, since—barring a surprisingly quick recovery—Sanders will be an unknown. Otherwise, the Broncos will need to add to the room, whether that means bringing back Browning or Cooper or signing a free agent. Given the expected jump in salary cap space next offseason, the Broncos could justify pursuing a top-tier pass rusher.
At inside linebacker, Singleton will hold a starting job, and Griffith and Barton will compete for the other. Griffith or Barton will have a chance to put a stamp on the job, but the Broncos will be looking for a starter next offseason if both fail.
Sanders’ absence shouldn’t sting the Broncos too badly in 2024. They’ll lose a third-down weapon. They’ll lose a key special teams contributor. They’ll lose a rotational linebacker, but they should have the depth to withstand his absence.
The biggest loss is the loss of a lottery ticket. The Broncos desperately need core pieces for their future, and Sanders was one of the young players most likely to prove himself worthy.
While Sanders will be frustrated, his future isn’t in doubt. He’s under contract for the 2025 and 2026 seasons, so he’ll have opportunities to seize a starting job in the future.
