Denver Broncos place safety Caden Sterns on PUP list

The Denver Broncos have placed safety Caden Sterns on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Sterns tore his patella tendon last year in the opening game and missed the remainder of the season.

Prior to that, the defensive back totaled four interceptions over his first two NFL seasons. He appeared in 15 games as a rookie to finish with 28 total tackles, five passes defended and a pair of picks.

However, Sterns has played in only six games since then as injuries have taken a toll on him early in his pro career. He also missed 12 games in 2023 during his second season as a result of injury.

Despite his designation to being this offseason, the hope is that Sterns can remain healthy this season and make key contributions for the defense. He will look to make it back by the beginning of the year and show the promise he displayed as a first-year player.

In college, Sterns was a three-year starter for the Texas Longhorns. He totaled 172 tackles, five interceptions and 13 passes defended while starting 28 of 29 games across his career.

That led to him becoming a fifth-round draft pick in 2021 and he appeared by all means to be outperforming where he was selected. The injuries have proved a setback for him early on but a healthy 2024 season would put that all behind him.

The Broncos are coming off of a season in which they finished 8-9 in their first season under coach Sean Payton. Their defense ranked 30th in the league in yards allowed per play, so perhaps getting a healthy Sterns back will help them make some headway in that category.

Sterns is the brother of former Oklahoma State defensive back Jordan Sterns, who played in Stillwater for three full seasons. Jordan Sterns finished his career as a Cowboy with three interceptions.

Denver Broncos place Drew Sanders on PUP list

The Denver Broncos have placed linebacker Drew Sanders on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The former third-round pick suffered a torn Achilles in April that required surgery, with his expected recovery time reported to be between 6-9 months.

Sanders was solid in his rookie season to finish with 24 total tackles and a fumble recovery. He started four of 17 games he appeared in.

The 6-foot-5 linebacker began his college career at Alabama, where he played two years before transferring to Arkansas. Sanders had a limited role in his two seasons with the Crimson Tide to total 33 tackles with one sacks and two passes defended across 23 games.

He truly broke out in his lone season with the Razorbacks to finish with 103 tackles, ranking fifth in the SEC, as well as 9.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. He also had 13.5 tackles for loss as he was named a unanimous All-American.