Broncos' Patrick Surtain: Impressive in sophomore season
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Surtain made 60 tackles (45 solo) to go with 10 passes defended, two interceptions and one forced fumble while playing in all 17 games across the 2022 season.
Surtain completed a strong second season in the Broncos' formidable secondary, leading the team in passes defended. The 22-year-old continues to prove why he was worth the ninth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Surtain is still on his four-year rookie deal, so he remains under contract with the Broncos through the 2024 season. One of the league's young stars at cornerback, Surtain will look to build upon the impressive start to his career when he takes the field for the 2023 campaign.
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Broncos' Dre'Mont Jones: Finishes season with 6.5 sacks
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Jones (hip) made a career-high 47 tackles (24 solo) to go with 6.5 sacks and one forced fumble while playing 13 games in the 2022 season.
Jones led the Broncos in sacks for the 2022 campaign despite playing in just 13 games. The veteran defensive end missed the final four games of the season after landing on injured reserve with a hip injury. It appears Jones won't require surgery, and he should be good to go in the offseason as he approaches the free-agent market. One of the Broncos' most solid young players on defense, Jones is likely to see many suitors around the league looking to bolster their defense with a young and rising star. It's possible the 26-year-old could sign a new deal with Denver, but he will likely command a sizable contract.
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Broncos' Justin Simmons: Career high in interceptions
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Simmons made 69 tackles (42 solo) to go with six interceptions, seven passes defended, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery while playing 12 games across the 2022 season.
Simmons finished his strong 2022 campaign tied for the most interceptions in the league. The veteran safety had a solid year on what proved to be a formidable defensive unit in Denver. The 29-year-old set career highs in both interceptions and forced fumbles, though he could've had a bigger year had he not missed five games due to quadriceps and knee injuries. Simmons is under contract with the Broncos through the 2024 season, so he'll likely return for an eighth season in Denver and try to build upon his impressive performance.
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Broncos' Kareem Jackson: Sets career high in stops
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Jackson made a career-high 94 tackles (55 solo) to go with three passes defended and two fumble recoveries while playing all 17 games of the 2022 season.
Jackson finished third in tackles among Broncos' defenders, showing that he could still make an impact as part of a strong defensive unit. Despite setting a career high in tackles, the veteran safety is not quite the difference-maker in the passing game that he once was. After racking up 10 passes defended in his first season with the Broncos in 2019, Jackson has totaled just nine passes defended over the last three seasons combined. The 34-year-old is set to become a free agent in 2023, so Denver will have to decide if it wants to stick with Jackson as a veteran presence or move on. Either way, Jackson could be an interesting player to target in 2023 for teams seeking experience in their defensive backfield on what would likely be a short-term deal.
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Broncos' Josey Jewell: Completes career year
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Jewell recorded 128 tackles (70 solo) to go with 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, four passes defended, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries while playing 13 games in the 2022 season.
Jewell set career highs in tackles, sacks and interceptions in the 2022 campaign as he proved to be an integral part of a strong Denver defense this season. The veteran linebacker played an every-down role this season and made the most of his opportunities. Jewell finished second in tackles behind fellow linebacker Alex Singleton, and he could've had an even bigger year had he not missed four games due to calf and knee injuries. The 28-year-old is heading into the final year of the two-year contract worth $11 million that he signed last offseason, so Jewell will likely continue to play an important role in the Broncos' defensive attack in 2023.
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Broncos' Alex Singleton: Career high in tackles
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Singleton made a career-high 163 tackles (100 solo) to go with one forced fumble and three passes defended while playing all 17 games of the 2022 season.
Singleton was a dominant force on Denver's defense, having his best season of his four-year career. The 29-year-old linebacker was signed last offseason to a one-year deal worth $1.12 million, and he is set to be a free agent in 2023. Singleton turned out to be a stellar acquisition by the Broncos, and the team will now have to decide if it wants to bring the veteran back after he outplayed his contract. The Broncos' season leader in tackles will likely garner interest from teams around the league, so it would make sense if the Broncos do their best to keep him as an integral member of Denver's formidable defense.
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Broncos' DeShawn Williams: Hurts knee in Week 18
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WIlliams suffered a knee injury during Sunday's game against the Chargers.
Prior to his exit in the second half, Williams had yet to make a mark in the box score. As long as Williams is sidelined, Matt Henningsen and Elijah Garcia should experience some extra run along the Broncos defensive line.
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Broncos' K'Waun Williams: Done with concussion
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Williams suffered a concussion in Sunday's game against the Chargers and will not return, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.
Williams will have to finish his season on the sidelines. In his absence, Essang Bassey will likely take on a bigger role in the Broncos' secondary.
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Broncos' K'Waun Williams: Exits early
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Williams has left Sunday's game against the Chargers to be evaluated for a concussion.
Williams will certainly miss the remainder of the contest if he suffered a concussion. In his absence, Essang Bassey will likely take on a larger role for the rest of the game.
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Broncos' Damarri Mathis: Unavailable Week 18
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Mathis (concussion) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Chargers.
Mathis will now miss his first matchup of the 2022-23 campaign due to the concussion he suffered versus Kansas City in Week 17. Patrick Surtain, K'Waun Williams and Essang Bassey should serve as Denver's top three cornerback options in the regular-season finale.
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Broncos' P.J. Locke: Not on injury report
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Locke (ankle) is not listed on the Broncos' injury report ahead of Sunday's regular-season finale against the Chargers.
Locke injured his ankle in Week 17, but it looks like the issue is not serious enough to keep him sidelined. Look for him to take on his usual role providing depth in the secondary assuming he avoids any setbacks.
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Broncos' Damarri Mathis: Questionable to play Week 18
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Mathis (concussion) has been deemed questionable for Sunday's game against the Chargers.
Mathis sustained a concussion during the Week 17 loss to the Chiefs. The rookie cornerback then missed practice Wednesday before logging back-to-back limited sessions to close Week 18 prep, though it's unclear if he's officially cleared protocols ahead of Sunday's regular-season finale. Should Mathis sit out, then Lamar Jackson could be in line for increased reps alongside top cornerbacks Patrick Surtain and K'Waun Williams against the Bolts.
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Broncos' D.J. Jones: Ruled out for Week 18
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Jones (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's matchup against the Chargers, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.
Jones will miss back-to-back games to end the 2022 campaign due to a knee injury. Mike Purcell (elbow) and Eyioma Uwazurike are candidates for increased roles in Jones' absence. Jones will end his first season in Denver with 34 tackles, six pass defenses and two sacks across 15 appearances.
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Broncos' Baron Browning: Sheds injury designation
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Browning (back) was a full participant in practice Thursday.
Browning was unable to play in Sunday's loss to the Chiefs, but he should be good to go Week 18 against the Chargers. His ability to play should be a boost to the team's linebacker corps.
Jackson recorded seven tackles (six solo) during Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Chiefs.
Jackson tied with linebacker Josey Jewell for the Broncos' second-most tackles behind fellow linebacker Alex Singleton in Week 17. The 34-year-old safety also narrowly set a new career high for tackles with 90 over 16 games this season. Jackson is also third on the team in tackles behind Jewell (123) and Singleton (152).
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Broncos' Alex Singleton: Forces fumble on special teams
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Singleton notched eight tackles (five solo) and a forced fumble during Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Chiefs.
Singleton set up the Broncos for their first touchdown of the game, punching the ball out from Chiefs' punt returner Kadarius Toney for a turnover at the 16-yard line. The linebacker has also been on a tackling tear with 90 over the past eight games. This also includes five outings with double-digit tackles during this span. Singleton currently ranks seventh in NFL with 152 tackles this season, and he'll look to continue making plays all over the field Week 18 against the Chargers.
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Broncos' P.J. Locke: Exits versus Kansas City
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Locke is questionable to return to Sunday's game versus the Chiefs with an ankle injury.
Locke did not log a defensive statistic before going down and having to be tended to on the field late in the fourth quarter, according to Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site. With the 25-year-old sidelined, Denver will be left with three available safeties for the time being.
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Broncos' Damarri Mathis: May have suffered concussion
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Mathis is being evaluated for a concussion during Sunday's game with the Chiefs.
Mathis will be forced out for the remainder of the game and enter the league's concussion protocols if he did suffer one. His potential absence will be a blow to the Broncos' secondary and likely lead to extra opportunity for Essang Bassey.
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Broncos' D.J. Jones: Sidelined on New Year's Day
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Jones (knee) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.
Jones will now miss his first matchup of the 2022-23 campaign as a result of the knee injury. In his absence, Mike Purcell should handle a larger role at nose tackle this weekend, while Eyioma Uwazurike is slated to receive more rotational snaps on Denver's defensive line.
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Broncos' Baron Browning: Unable to suit up Sunday
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Browning (back) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.
After missing the first two practices to open Week 17 prep before logging a limited session Friday due to a back issue, Browning ultimately won't dress for Sunday's contest versus Kansas City. With six other Broncos' linebackers currently on injured reserve, Nik Bonitto, Alex Singleton, Josey Jewell and Jonathon Cooper are slated to start this weekend.
