Denver Broncos rookie Patrick Surtain suffers injury on Sunday

The Denver Broncos might have suffered another tough blow on the defensive side of the ball. Rookie cornerback Patrick Surtain II suffered a knee injury in the Broncos game on Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys. Per the Broncos Chief Communications Officer Patrick Smyth, Surtain is questionable to return to the game.

Surtain was selected ninth overall by the Broncos in the latest NFL Draft out of Alabama. Entering Sunday’s game, Surtain had one interception, 26 tackles, and seven passes defended in his rookie season. Before suffering his injury on Sunday, Surtain had one pass defended and three tackles against the Cowboys.

Days after trading away Von Miller, the Broncos have completely shut down the Cowboys’ explosive offense. Everywhere Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has looked, a Broncos defender has been there waiting for him. The Broncos led 19-0 at the time of Surtain’s injury.

Broncos safety Kareem Jackson has spoken highly of Surtain

Earlier in the season, Broncos star safety Kareem Jackson spoke very highly on Surtain as a rookie. Jackson and Surtain both played college football at Alabama, winning national championships on undefeated teams. They were both then selected as first round NFL Draft picks. Denver has a deep secondary, but Surtain has really impressed throughout his time with the team.

“He’s been playing a lot of different positions,” Jackson said of Surtain earlier in the year. “Mentally, him being able to pick up all those positions, and like I said, I mentioned how polished he is with his technique. That’s one of the main things for a secondary guy. If you can go out day in and day out and be consistent with your technique, you can be successful. But he’s been doing a great job. He’s been picking up every position he’s been playing. He’s been flying around, he’s been making a ton of plays.

“Honestly, I didn’t think it would be any other way with his background and where he came from. Not surprised at all. You guys have seen what we’ve done around this league for so long. Nah, I’m just playing. He’s been playing some great ball. But I’m not surprised.”

Surtain was the second cornerback taken in the draft, but the Broncos appeared to have struck gold with him. If the Broncos hold on against the Cowboys, they will improve to 5-4 on the season. Denver began the season 3-0.