The Denver Broncos are facing a potentially major setback on the injury front before their Week 13 home game against the Cleveland Browns, as Riley Moss is expected to be sidelined.
Currently ranked eighth in passing yards allowed per game after the Thursday and Saturday games in Week 13, the Broncos will be without an important contributor to their defensive improvement.
Moss did not participate in any practices this week.
The Broncos traded up to select Riley Moss in the third round of the 2023 draft. Despite struggling with injuries during his rookie season, Moss secured the CB2 spot during training camp this offseason.
He is currently in the second year of a four-year, $5.4 million contract.
It’s possible the Broncos are being cautious with Moss, especially with a challenging matchup against Jerry Jeudy and the Browns ahead. However, with their bye week in Week 14, Moss’ situation could improve significantly by the time they return for Week 15.
Broncos HC Sean Payton Downplayed Riley Moss’ Knee Injury
Riley Moss sustained a knee injury during the Broncos’ Week 12 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton minimized the severity of the injury, saying, “Anytime you lose one of your top corners, it changes things.” Payton noted that the team had a plan in place that involved Pat and some doubles, but when Moss went out, Levi Wallace stepped up. He added that, fortunately, Moss’ injury wasn’t very serious.
“It’s an MCL … we’ll see how next week [goes],” Payton explained on November 24. “There was some thought that maybe he could go back in, so we’ll see where it’s at.”
According to Stathead, Moss is the most-targeted defender in the NFL.
This level of attention is expected for the cornerback opposite Pat Surtain II. Moss has been targeted 84 times, which is seven more than the second-most targeted player, Byron Murphy of the Minnesota Vikings. Interestingly, teammate Ja’Quan McMillian, the Broncos’ nickelback, ranks as the sixth-most targeted defender in the NFL.
Sean Payton Touts Broncos CB Depth
Payton expressed confidence in the veteran players who are expected to step in for Moss, noting that the Broncos have several options to fill the gap.
Wallace appears set to start opposite Surtain.
“We’ve got depth there. He [Wallace], [Damarri] Mathis, [and] a number of those guys,” Payton said to the local media on November 30. “They’ve played a lot, so those guys have done well.”
Wallace ranks fourth in snaps among the Broncos’ cornerbacks and second among their outside corners, according to Pro Football Reference. However, he has allowed over 71% completion on the 14 targets he has faced this season.
Mathis, who has played in just five games this year, started six games in 2023 and 11 games in 2022. While he has not allowed a catch on the two targets he has faced this season, he allowed 70.8% completion on passes thrown his way in the previous two seasons.
Behind Wallace and Mathis is Tremon Smith, who has played in all 12 games like Wallace but has logged two fewer snaps than Mathis this season. Smith has been effective in coverage, as he did not allow the lone target thrown his way to be completed.
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