The Denver Broncos will be without their starting cornerback and starting right tackle for Thursday’s game against the New Orleans Saints on Amazon Prime. What can Broncos Country expect personnel wise?

Denver Broncos rule out Patrick Surtain II vs. New Orleans Saints

The Denver Broncos have ruled out starting All-Pro cornerback Patrick Surtain II for this week’s game against the New Orleans Saints on Thursday Night Football. For some folks nationally, this will be the first time they get to catch the Broncos in action, and Surtain, unfortunately, won’t be suited up.

He didn’t practice at all this week after he suffered a concussion in Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Chargers and was placed into the NFL’s concussion protocol. Denver held an open walkthrough practice on Tuesday and he was not spotted, and he did not participate in the team’s final walkthrough on Wednesday as the team travels to New Orleans this evening for tomorrow night’s game.

There’s a good chance he returns next week as the team hosts the Carolina Panthers, but he’ll still have to go through the rest of the NFL’s concussion protocol to be eligible to return next week if he isn’t showing any signs or symptoms.

Broncos right tackle Alex Palczewski was the second player ruled out of Thursday Night Football as he continues to recover from a high ankle sprain that he suffered in Denver’s Week 5 win against the Las Vegas Raiders. Veteran Matt Peart filled in for him on Sunday, and the team officially opened up the 21-day window for veteran Mike McGlinchey to return.

McGlinchey was spotted for the first time on the practice field on Tuesday during the team’s walkthrough, but considering it’s a short week and he hasn’t had time to acclimate with pads, I wouldn’t suspect that he’ll play, even though he, outside linebacker Baron Browning, and cornerback Damarri Mathis are listed as questionable.

If any player of those three will play, Mathis will be the one to watch, especially with Surtain being ruled out. He’s practiced fully for the last two weeks since his 21-day window was opened. If Mathis is inactive on Thursday night, veteran Levi Wallace and Ja’Quan McMillian will see an increased workload at cornerback, but I’d expect Mathis to make his return, especially with the Broncos having two spots open on the team’s 53-man roster.

For the New Orleans Saints, they’ve already ruled out their top two wide receivers Chris Olave (concussion), Rashid Shaheed (knee), quarterback Derek Carr (oblique), linebacker Pete Warner (hamstring), offensive guard Cesar Ruiz (knee) and listed Taysom Hill (rib) as doubtful.