Broncos CB Damarri Mathis Carted Off in Preseason Game vs. Cardinals

The Denver Broncos suffered an early injury vs. the Arizona Cardinals.

Aug 25, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos cornerback Damarri Mathis (27) leaves the field after an injury in the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Empower Field at Mile High. / Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

As the Denver Broncos take on the Arizona Cardinals in the preseason finale, a scary play unfolded on just the second snap of the game. Broncos third-year cornerback Damarri Mathis was injured on a run-support play as he went to make the tackle and was piled on by teammates.

Mathis was carted off. We learned shortly after that it was a right ankle injury.

Denver CB Damarri Mathis taken off on a cart. Injured making a tackle. Ankle crushed under a crowd. Cardinals miss a FG#Broncos 0:0 #Arizona 1st pic.twitter.com/DKkk1CM9TJ

— Jeff Schwartz (@SchwartzNow) August 25, 2024

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It's an unfortunate development for Mathis, who's been in competition with Riley Moss and Levi Wallace for the Broncos' No. 2 cornerback position opposite Patrick Surtain II. Moss seems to have the job locked up, as the Broncos didn't dress him in Game 3.

Mathis was a fourth-round pick out of Pittsburgh back in 2022. After a promising rookie campaign, he opened last season as a starter, before losing his job and being relegated to depth.

We'll update this article as we learn more about Mathis' injury.

UPDATE: Head coach Sean Payton gave an encouraging update from the podium post-game, revealing that the initial X-rays don't appear to show anything serious. But Mathis will undergo MRI testing back at the team facility, likely on Monday.

"The images were real positive, so I don't think it's anything real significant. That's good news," Payton said.

Regarding Mathis' potential timetable to recover, Payton was his usually cagey self.

"I have no timing," Payton said. "I wouldn't give it to you either."

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