Broncos Confirm the Return of Two High-Impact Players vs. Commanders

The Denver Broncos need a talent infusion, and the Football Gods obliged this week.

The Denver Broncos are hoping to avoid a full fall into the schneid with the Washington Commanders coming to town on Sunday. After losing at home in Week 1, Sean Payton's team opening 0-2 on the season would be disastrous and statistically very difficult to overcome. 

The Broncos absolutely have to win this game. Is it a "must-win" game? It's a dubious proposition to call any game in the first quarter of the NFL season a must-win, but this one is as close as it gets, despite it being just the second contest of the season.

The Broncos entered the season opener without several key players, and during the action, lost two more. Safety Caden Sterns is done for the season, while the other injured player was on the other side of the ball and has already been ruled out of the Washington game.  

But there's some good news as we peruse the Broncos' final injury report for Week 2. Let's examine. 

Broncos

Out

• Frank Clark | OLB | Hip
• Greg Dulcich | TE | Hamstring

Full Go

• Jerry Jeudy | WR | Hamstring
• Riley Moss | CB | Abdomen
• D.J. Jones | DT | Knee

Analysis: Help is on the way as Jeudy returns to action. His speed and twitched-up route-running prowess were sorely missed last week, as the Broncos totaled only two plays of 20-plus yards. 

Jeudy's presence should open things up for the entire offense because defenses have to play the Broncos a bit more honest when he's on the field. Jeudy will get his, but he also loosens things up for guys like Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., and the tight ends, allowing them more favorable matchups. 

“He’s healthy," Payton said of Jeudy when asked whether there's a chance he might not play on Sunday. "He’s good.”

Jeudy's return is timely, with Dulcich set to miss significant time. It'll be interesting to see how the division of labor shakes out at tight end this week, but expect an even healthier dose of Adam Trautman.  

Sunday features yet another 2023 debut in the form of the rookie third-rounder Moss. The Iowa product missed most of training camp and all of the preseason with an abdominal injury, aka a core muscle issue. 

Despite this, the Broncos kept Moss highly ranked on their initial depth chart and the official one to open the season. In the wake of Damarri Mathis' immense struggles in Week 1, the Broncos will sleep a little bit easier this weekend knowing that Moss will be available to step in on the boundary opposite of Surtain if Mathis' poor streak continues. 

RELATED: Broncos vs. Commanders: Week 2 Bold Predictions & Picks

Keep an eye on Jones, as any knee injury is concerning, especially for a man of 300-plus pounds. I shudder to imagine what Denver's defensive line would look like without Jones in the lineup. 

Clark will miss this week and probably next with the hip injury he suffered during practice earlier this week. The Broncos need Randy Gregory, Jonathon Cooper, and Nik Bonitto to rise to the occasion sans Clark. 

For a little additional insurance, perhaps defensive coordinator Vance Joseph would be wise to create some packages for rookie linebacker Drew Sanders, who a.) is an explosive athlete, and b.) is an experienced and dynamic edge rusher. 

Friday's #WASvsDEN injury report:

📰 » https://t.co/LUNy987Sba pic.twitter.com/FgXj5H6Ino

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) September 15, 2023

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Commanders

Out

• Jartavius Martin | DB | Concussion

Full Go

• Curtis Samuel | WR | Hip
• Sam Cosmi | OG | Shoulder
• Terry McLaurin | WR | Toe
• Chase Young | OLB | Neck

Analysis: What started as a cloudy outlook clarified in Washington's favor this week as its No. 1 pass rusher practiced in full on Thursday and Friday. Young is a full go, and that could be problematic for Denver's tackle duo Garett Bolles and Mike McGlinchey

The former No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft missed the season opener for Washington, but he'll be there prowling the edges in Denver. Young's career has been marred by consistent entanglements with the injury bug but with Washington declining to exercise his fifth-year option, he'll be hungry to produce a big season so he can cash in come the spring. 

The Commanders' wide receiver corps will be intact with Samuel and McLaurin active, which makes Moss' return all the more convenient. 

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