Denver Broncos lose second-year linebacker Drew Sanders to major injury

The Denver Broncos could potentially be without one of their top draft picks from the 2023 NFL Draft this upcoming season due to a major injury.

Second-year linebacker Drew Sanders is out indefinitely after tearing his Achilles.

Denver Broncos lose Drew Sanders indefinitely to Achilles injury

All throughout this offseason, everybody has wondered what second-year linebacker Drew Sanders’ position was going to be this upcoming season. Whether that was a return to inside linebacker or him staying at edge rusher, it was a mystery that was hopefully going to be solved this week in the eyes of the media as the team begins their on-field OTAs.

Unfortunately that question won’t be answered anytime soon with Sanders being sidelined indefinitely due to a torn Achilles, as first reported by 9News’ Mike Klis.

This is a blow to the young core of a developing player. According to Klis, Sanders tore his Achilles prior to the NFL Draft early on in the team’s offseason program.

The Broncos ended up drafting Utah pass rusher Jonah Elliss with the 76th overall pick just a week later. With Denver selecting Elliss as high as they did, it’s easy to speculate that Sanders was more than likely going to stay at edge rusher this upcoming season.

Now the Broncos rotation will consist of Jonathon Cooper, Baron Browning, Nik Bonitto, and Elliss. There is a chance that Sanders could return late in Denver’s season, considering that it’s May, but for developmental purposes, it feels more beneficial to Sanders to recover fully and come back next season.

The advancement in Achilles’ recovery and accelerated recovery timelines are a marvel in today’s world, especially pro sports, but Denver and Beau Lowery have and will continue to be smart with Sanders’ recovery where he’s already been receiving treatment at the team facility following a successful surgery right after the injury occurred.