Denver moved up in the third round of the 2023 draft to get Drew Sanders, a new flex inside-outside linebacker. He played in for an injured Josey Jewell in weeks 3 and 4 and was regularly abused in coverage, missing four tackles.
After a disastrous start, Sanders largely contributed on special teams until the middle of the season. Sanders began playing outside linebacker in rotation in the final seven weeks of 2023. While he continued to struggle in pass coverage, generating only two pressures as a rusher this season, his run defence improved. He also played on special teams throughout the season.
Player Profile.
Age: 22 | Experience: Second Year | College: Arkansas thru Alabama.
Height: 6’5″ | Weight: 233 pounds | Arm length: 32-1/8″ | 40-yard dash time: 4.66 seconds
Rookie statistics include 24 tackles, one tackle for loss, and one fumble recovery.
However, Sanders recently underwent offseason surgery after hurting his Achilles in OTAs, putting his 2024 season in doubt, though coaches hope he will be back in time to challenge for playing time at edge rusher.
The data on recovery from these injuries is not promising. About one-third of professional players do not return. Two key players have recovered from early-season injuries to contribute.
Demaryius Thomas tore his Achilles in February 2011, and he was anticipated to miss the rest of the season. He returned in Week 7, despite reports at the time indicating he was ready sooner but had sustained an unrelated injury.
“That happened early in the offseason program,” Payton explained. “Just an easy hop, like they always are. Surgery was completed. Fortunately, it was early enough in the timeframe for us to bring him back. I don’t want to mention October, but the procedure was completed successfully. It was clean. There was nothing difficult about the injury; it was simply unique.”
Terrell Suggs suffered an Achilles injury during an OTA in April 2012, but returned in October to play almost half of the Ravens season. Neither had their best seasons in return, but they are clearly the optimistic case. The pessimistic scenario involves a year on injured reserve.
A regulatory change made this summer almost ensures that Sanders will be placed on IR-designated for return during final cutdowns. Hopefully, he will make it back and assist in some way, most likely by providing depth.
How Drew Sanders fits into the plans of the 2024 Denver Broncos.
If Sanders returns off injured reserve this season, he is projected to be a depth component at edge rusher/outside linebacker. He is small for the position, but he can bulk up while recuperating, and his return may be a midseason bonus for the Denver Broncos. Sanders’ return, especially if Denver suffers injuries that put their depth to the test, might be beneficial to both his development and the team’s defence.
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