Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II (2) is tended to during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Kelley L. Cox)
Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II (2) is tended to during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Kelley L. Cox)
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Denver Broncos star cornerback Pat Surtain II suffered an injury at the end of the first half of the Broncos’ matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. He will not return to the game with an ankle injury, the team announced.
Coach Sean Payton said in an interview on CBS that Surtain would be out to start the second half. He did not provide any other update on the cornerback’s status.
It appeared to be a non-contact injury. Surtain was playing zone coverage when he pulled up limping out of a break. The cornerback started hopping on his left leg and immediately went down holding his right ankle. The Broncos’ training staff surrounded Surtain, and he stayed on the ground for several minutes.
He headed straight to the locker room after getting up. Two staff members helped Surtain to the locker room, as he could hardly put any weight on his right leg.
Here's the Surtain injury. Completely non-contact, pulls up in the middle of the play. pic.twitter.com/8CQjgUumHs
— Sam Jane (@sam_jane230) October 4, 2026
Surtain has earned three All-Pro selections in his career. The Alabama product is consistently rated as of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. If Surtain misses any significant time, the Broncos would likely turn to former first-round pick and reserve defensive back Jahdae Barron to replace him.
Surtain missed three games last season with a partially torn pectoral muscle. He returned in Week 13 against the Washington Commanders. The Broncos went 3-0 in the games without him.