Report: Broncos S Caden Sterns Done for Season with Knee Injury

Sterns went down on his second snap against the Raiders.

Adding injury to the insult that was Week 1, Denver Broncos safety Caden Sterns suffered a torn patellar tendon in Sunday's loss to the Raiders and is expected to miss the remainder of the season, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported.

The Broncos have yet to confirm the diagnosis, but it's apparently as bad as it appeared for Sterns, who went down on his second defensive snap. He recognized the severity right away, throwing his helmet in frustration before tearfully leaving  Empower Field on a cart.

"Surgery and long recovery," opined NFL injury expert Dr. David J. Chao.

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A 2021 fifth-round pick, Sterns was primed for a significant role in Denver's defense, starting full-time opposite All-Pro S Justin Simmons. This, after missing the majority of last year with a hip issue that required surgical intervention.

Now, he's the latest Bronco to sustain a season-ending malady, joining wide receivers Tim Patrick (Achilles) and Jalen Virgil (meniscus) and inside linebacker Jonas Griffith (ACL).

“It is tough. It really is," outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper said of losing Sterns. "I know how bad he wants to be out there. I know how bad we want him to be out there. We know what he brings to the table with his mindset and demeanor. He is the perfect fit for our defense. I have seen him come in, get work in and get back on the field. So it is tough as a player dealing with injuries. You kind of have to reset your mind and get back to the game, but it is tough to see that. He is a good player and an even better person. We all know that.”

With PJ Locke (leg) on short-term injured reserve — out until Week 5 — the Broncos will start veteran Kareem Jackson in Sterns' stead. Jackson, 35, tallied four solo tackles and a pass deflection against the Raiders but also committed a backbreaking personal foul penalty in the final minutes which directly contributed to the 17-16 defeat.

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