The Denver Broncos will have to wait to see how much linebacker Drew Sanders has improved since his rookie season in 2023, as the third-round choice from last year will now miss at least the most of the 2024 season.
Sanders suffered a torn Achilles tendon early in the team’s offseason program in mid-April, according to sources who spoke with ESPN on Monday night. Sanders underwent surgery to repair the damaged tendon, and his recovery time is projected to be between six and nine months.
It does leave up the option that Sanders, whom the Broncos selected in the third round of the 2023 selection (67th overall), could return before the end of the season if his recovery is successful. It is unclear when Sanders sustained his injury because coach Sean Payton has consistently stated that he will not discuss injuries in the offseason or players’ specific progress in recovery, but seven days before the draft, on April 25, general manager George Paton was asked about the team’s need at outside linebacker and included Sanders in the defence for the season.
“The outside linebacker group, we have three that are really talented — [Nik] Bonitto, [Baron] Browning, and [Jonathon] Cooper,” Paton said last month. “We have a young Drew Sanders, assuming he remains outside. So we like the group, but you are always seeking for such kinds of roles. They’re difficult to find. If someone falls into your lap, you’re going to grab them.
Given Sanders’ estimated recuperation time, the Broncos selected Utah outside linebacker Jonah Elliss in the third round (76th overall) in last month’s draft. Payton did not divulge Sanders’ injury following Elliss’ selection, but he did describe how badly the Broncos felt they needed to select Ellis.
“He was a target,” Payton explained. “… We felt we had to get past the Falcons. His brother, Terry Fontenot, [former Saints deputy general manager], is currently in Atlanta. We stayed there for however long, and thankfully, we were able to draft him… He’s an edge player who plays with energy, effort, and all of the qualities you look for in a football player, including strong character.
After the Broncos selected Elliss, Payton stated, “You’re never afraid to draft at the top of your strength.” We’ll work it out. It’s always a more difficult position to find in the winter and in free agency, so we felt like he clearly checked the pressure player box, and we’ll sort through the depth when we come to it.
Sanders played both inside and outside linebacker in the Broncos’ 3-4 defence last season. He appeared in all 17 games, starting four, and recorded 253 defensive snaps, accounting for 23% of the defense’s total.
With the departure of inside linebacker Josey Jewell in free agency, Payton and Paton stated earlier in the offseason that they had not decided which position Sanders would play for the most of the time during the team’s OTAs, minicamp, and training camp later this summer.
Sanders recorded 24 tackles last season, including a tackle for loss and fumble recovery.
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