Denver Broncos linebacker Drew Sanders tears ACL ahead of OTAs

The Denver Broncos head into “Phase 3” of 2024 season preparations this week with OTAs, a.k.a organized team activities. Unfortunately, they’ll be without second-year linebacker Drew Sanders for the foreseeable future. 9News in Denver reported on Monday night that Sanders tore his ACL in the early portion of the spring workout program last month, which will keep him off the field for the majority of the season if not the whole season.

The Broncos drafted Sanders out of Arkansas with the No. 67 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. As a rookie, the linebacker played in all 17 regular season games, starting four. He tallied 24 tackles with one tackle for loss and a fumble recovery, which he snagged against the Chiefs last October.

Sanders was one of two Razorbacks drafted in the 2023 NFL Draft. Offensive lineman Ricky Stromberg went to the Washington Commanders in the second round.

The Broncos were counting on Sanders to contribute during the 2024 season. Ahead of the draft, Broncos general manager George Paton discussed his hopes for the linebacker room, mentioning the former Razorback. The team ended up drafting Utah outside linebacker Jonah Elliss in the third round (76th overall).

“The outside ‘backer group, we have three that are really talented — [Nik] Bonitto, [Baron] Browning and [Jonathon] Cooper,” Paton said last month. “We have a young Drew Sanders, if he stays outside. So we like the group, but you’re always looking at those type of positions. They’re hard to find. If someone falls in your lap, you’re going to take them.”

Broncos lose Sanders for 2024

Sanders spent the first two seasons of his collegiate career with the Alabama Crimson Tide. He racked up 35 tackles and worked his way into the rotation. He then opted to transfer to Arkansas, where he had one breakout season. Sanders played his way to the top of 2023 draft boards after starting for the Hogs.

After leaving Alabama for Arkansas, Sanders racked up a career-high 103 tackles with 9.5 sacks, 13.5 tackles for loss and an interception for the Razorbacks.

Coming out of Denton Ryan (Texas) High School, Sanders was a five-star prospect. He was the No. 27 recruit in the nation and the No. 6 linebacker in the 2020 signing class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.