Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain’s absence might be outdoors linebacker Nik Bonitto’s acquire.
On Monday, ESPN Broncos reporter Jeff Legwold shared that Surtain, the 2024 Related Press Defensive Participant of the 12 months, is more likely to miss a number of weeks after struggling a pectoral pressure in Week 8’s 44-22 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
In response to Legwold, Surtain “might be a candidate for injured reserve,” which might pressure him to overlook not less than 4 video games. With the star defensive again be out a number of weeks, Bonitto has an opportunity to bolster an already robust Defensive Participant of the 12 months case, giving Denver two consecutive award winners.
Patrick Surtain damage opens door for Nik Bonitto to strengthen DPOY declare
Via eight video games, Bonitto has arguably been the most effective participant on a Broncos protection that entered “Monday Evening Soccer” No. 5 in scoring and whole protection. He leads the workforce in sacks (eight) and is barely two behind New York Giants edge-rusher Brian Burns and Cleveland Browns defensive finish Myles Garrett for essentially the most in NFL.
Per NFL Pro data, Bonitto is tied with Giants rookie Abdul Carter for the league’s most fast quarterback pressures (below three seconds) amongst linebackers at 19. He has one of many quickest get-off instances amongst qualifying linebackers, crossing the road of scrimmage a mean of 0.77s after the snap.
With Denver down its finest protection nook, it will likely be crucial for Bonitto to generate strain, impacting the timing of opponents’ passing assaults. With a powerful run over the subsequent few video games, he may enhance his standing within the DPOY race.
Bonitto is without doubt one of the high candidates for this yr’s award, together with Garrett, Micah Parsons (Green Bay Packers) and Aidan Hutchinson (Detroit Lions). He is efficiently constructed on a sensational 2024 season, when he completed with a career-high 13.5 sacks, made his first Professional Bowl, was named second-team All-Professional and completed ninth in DPOY voting.
As stable as he was a yr in the past, Bonitto justifiably ceded the highlight to Surtain, who almost had as many interception return yards (132) as receiving yards allowed in protection (166) en path to his second first-team All-Professional honors and first Defensive Participant of the 12 months award.
However Bonitto will probably be extra of a focus with Surtain sidelined. That might be all he wants to finish the yr with {hardware} of his personal.
