ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Broncos have experienced a major setback of the offseason as second-year linebacker Drew Sanders has suffered a torn Achilles, sources told 9NEWS.
Sanders arrived for the Broncos' offseason program in mid-April in excellent shape and determined to make a quantum leap as a defensive contributor in his second season. However, the injury occurred early in the Broncos’ offseason program – before the NFL Draft in late-April -- and subsequent surgery was deemed successful. While no timeline was placed on his recovery, similar injuries to other players lend hope Sanders could possibly return in the middle to late in the regular season.
It also helps that Sanders is only 23 years old so youth is on his side. Still, with the regular season less than 4 months away, Sanders will at least miss a significant portion of the 2024 season.
Sanders' injury may explain why edge rusher was a priority for the Broncos' football bosses entering the draft. The Broncos did draft outside linebacker Jonah Elliss in the third round -- their second pick, after quarterback Bo Nix in the first round -- last month. The team also has Jonathon Cooper, Baron Browning and Nik Bonitto at outside linebacker.
Sanders was the Broncos’ top third-round draft pick a year ago after he played his college ball at Alabama and Arkansas. As a junior for the Razorbacks in 2022, Sanders was a hybrid inside and outside linebacker who had 9.5 sacks and an interception.
At 6-foot-4, 235 pounds, he ran the 40 in 4.59 seconds, a freakish combination that had the Broncos using their No. 67 overall selection to take him. Initially, Sanders, was assigned to the inside linebacker position but about halfway through last season he was switched to outside linebacker.
He played in all 17 games for the Broncos last season, mostly on special teams although he make four starts at linebacker and finished the season with 24 tackles, one for a loss and a fumble recovery.
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