Banged-up cornerback eyes a comeback for Denver’s showdown with Cincinnati!
The Denver Broncos‘ defense has struggled since second-year cornerback Riley Moss suffered an MCL injury against Las Vegas in Week 12. With Moss sidelined, teams have been able to avoid star corner Patrick Surtain II, forcing the Broncos (9-6) to shift from their preferred man coverage to zone schemes. The results have been underwhelming, highlighted by a 32-point loss to the Cleveland Browns, where former teammate Jerry Jeudy set a career-high 235 yards, including a 70-yard touchdown.
Moss had been a key contributor for the Broncos before his injury, accumulating 71 tackles, eight pass breakups, and an interception in 12 starts. After a rookie season limited by core muscle surgery, he emerged as a reliable starter. Head coach Sean Payton praised Moss, noting his impressive performance throughout training camp and the season. “He’s a big reason why we were playing so well defensively,” Payton said, emphasizing the need for Moss’ return to bolster the defense.
With Moss on the field, the Broncos allowed 16.8 points per game, but that number has risen to 26.3 points without him. As the Broncos face a tough challenge against Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, getting Moss back is crucial for their playoff hopes. Moss returned to practice last week, and the team will determine if he’s ready to play this week or if it’s better to wait until the season finale against Kansas City.
If the Broncos make the playoffs for the first time since their Super Bowl 50 win, Moss’ return will be vital to their chances of advancing. The team recently dodged a scare when Surtain injured his ankle, but he returned to full practice and played without issue against the Chargers.
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