December 12, 2024

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Broncos provide ominous update on Riley Moss for Week 13

Getty

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton looks on against the New Orleans Saints.

The Denver Broncos suffered a potentially significant blow on the injury front ahead of their Week 13 home game against the Cleveland Brownsof Riley Moss set to be off.

Denver ranks eighth in yards allowed per game after Thursday and Saturday’s games in Week 13. But they will be without a key part of what has been a remarkable turnaround for the unit.

Moss missed the entire week of practice.

The Broncos went up to select Moss in the third round of the 2023 draft. He battled injuries as a rookie but won the CB2 track in training camp this offseason.

He is in the second year of a four-year contract worth $5.4 million.

The Broncos could play it safe with Moss. They face a tough challenge Jerry Jeudy and the Browns. But they also have their bye week in Week 14. Moss’ prospects could change significantly by the time they reunite in Week 15.

Broncos HC Sean Payton downplayed Riley Moss’ knee injury

GettyRiley Moss #21 of the Denver Broncos is helped off the field after an injury against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Moss suffered a knee injury during the broncos’ week 12 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

Broncos head coach Sean Payton downplayed the seriousness of the problem.

“Every time you lose one of your top corners, the situation changes,” Payton told reporters on November 24. “We still had ours (Brock) Bowers scheme involving Pat and some doubles. But look, Levi (Wallace) came in and it was the next guy. And luckily with Riley it wasn’t really serious.

“It’s an MCL … we’ll see how next week (goes). It was thought he might be able to go back in, so we’ll see where it is.

Moss is the NFL’s most goal-oriented defender, according to Stathead.

That’s to be expected for the corner opposite Pat Surtain II. Moss’s 84 targets are seven more than the second most targeted player. Byron Murphy of the Minnesota Vikings. Particularly teammate and Broncos nickelback Ja’Quan McMillian is the sixth most targeted defender.

Sean Payton praises Broncos CB Depth

GettyLevi Wallace #39 of the Denver Broncos looks on against the New Orleans Saints.

Payton expressed confidence in the veterans looking to replace Moss. The Broncos have several options to choose from.

Wallace looks ready to register the start against Surtain.

“We have depth there. He (Wallace), (Damarri) Mathis; (a) number of those boys,” Payton told members of the local media on November 30. “They played a lot, so those guys did a good job.”

Wallace has logged the fourth most snaps among the Broncos corners, second among their outside cornerbacks, per Pro Football Reference.

The veteran allowed it 71% completion on the 14 goals he has conceded this season.

Vance had Baker in a blender.
I show the guy across the board, multiple guys pressing, Levi Wallace following the tight end through the formation, everyone covered.
Bonitto on the inside falls into a hook, Denver drops eight and plays C2.
Baker sees it late and tries…

Mathis played only five games this season. He started six games in 2023 and 11 games in 2022. He has not allowed any catch on two goals this season. But he allowed a 70.8% completion rate over the past two seasons.

Stands behind them Tremon Smithwho has played in all 12 games like Wallace and yet has still logged two fewer snaps than Mathis this season.

He did not allow the only target to complete in his direction.

Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He is based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter