Here's What Sean Payton Said About Pat Surtain II's Injury on Monday
Denver Broncos fans remain a little anxious about Patrick Surtain II's health status. The All-Pro cornerback suffered an ankle injury early in the Broncos' 44-24 decimation of the Dallas Cowboys, then, later, a shoulder injury.
Surtain didn't return to the field after the half. On Monday, Payton was asked for an update on Surtain, but he didn't give us anything.
“No, nothing to update you guys today on," Payton said.
Into the Breach
Kris Abrams-Draine entered the game in relief of Surtain, and the Cowboys went after him. The second-year cornerback gave up many completions with the big cushions he was allowing pre-snap, but he kept everything in front of him and tackled well.
The Cowboys presented two imminent threats at wide receiver in CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. That's a lot for any top-two cornerback tandem to handle, let alone the No. 4 guy entering the game due to injury.
“I think how we played was outstanding when he [Surtain] wasn’t in. That’s a big deal, especially when a large part of your plan is dealing with rotation and matchups and you’re dealing with [No.] 3 [Pickins] and [No.] 88 [Lamb]," Payton said. "Then all of a sudden that one element goes away, it can be a little bit disruptive."
Abrams-Draine finished the game with the second-most tackles, tallying eight on the day (four solo). Rookie Jahdae Barron also played well, notching the first interception of his NFL career in the second quarter.
But if the Broncos have to go to war on Sunday against the Houston Texans without their No. 1 cornerback, Abrams-Draine will likely be the primary replacement on the boundary. Payton is confident that Abrams-Draine will answer the bell if called upon again this coming Sunday.
"I thought Kris did a great job. The whole lot of them did when we went without Pat," Payton said. "We continued to play a handful of the coverages, and yet [Defensive Coordinator] Vance [Joseph] did a good job adjusting. So that was very encouraging.”
Locker Room Closes Ranks Around K.A.D.
Payton isn't the only one with confidence in Abrams-Draine. Broncos All-Pro defensive end Zach Allen seconded his head coach on Monday.
"We have full faith in Kris," Allen said via
A fifth-round pick out of Missouri last year, Abrams-Draine was a healthy scratch up until Week 13 in 2024. The Broncos called his number when Riley Moss went down with a knee injury.
Initially, Abrams-Draine shared Moss' role with veteran corner Levi Wallace, but after Jameis Winston and the Cleveland Browns torched the Broncos, a change was made. Wallace was released and the Broncos stuck with the rookie as Moss' primary replacement until the starter returned in Week 17.
Abrams-Draine acquitted himself well, breaking up two passes, picking one off, and totaling nine tackles. Fast forward to this season, and he's mostly contributed on special teams, seeing just one defensive snap before Week 8.
However, the Surtain injury saw Abrams-Draine garner 36 defensive snaps vs. the Cowboys. If the coaches can work on Abrams-Draine's pre-snap alignment, he'll be fine if Surtain's injury keeps him out.
Abrams-Draine is very sticky in coverage and he has a nose for the ball. At 5-foot-11 and 178 pounds, he doesn't have the size of a Surtain or a Moss, but he's plenty physical, and his instincts are excellent.
There's a reason the Broncos are confident in living life without Surtain if push comes to shove. However, if Surtain misses time, expect the Broncos to work Barron in a bit alongside Abrams-Draine, with the young veteran getting the lion's share of the snaps.
The Broncos still have Moss and Ja'Quan McMillian in the starting lineup to help do the heavy lifting. But seeing how Abrams-Draine performed vs. Dallas, Moss' confidence is through the roof. Denver's track record against the NFL's best receiving corps stands on its own merit.
“It's exciting. It's a good confidence booster for not only me, but for ‘KD’ [Abrams-Draine] coming in there late for Pat, for ‘Jmac’ (McMillian), for our back end," Moss said post-game. "We've gone against probably three of the best receiving corps in the NFL—in Philly, in Cincinnati, and then now the Cowboys—and we've handled our business. That's exciting.”
BREAKING: 49ers’ Shocking Mid-Season Move: 2x Super Bowl Champion Joins Team For Playoff Push
In a move that’s caught the attention of NFL circles nationwide, the San Francisco 49ers have officially added veteran wideout Marquez Valdes‑Scantling — a former member of the Green Bay Packers’ hallowed receiver corps — to their roster, signaling a possible shift in strategy and a hint at aggressive mid-season movement.
49ers make surprising mid-season move: former Packers WR Marquez Valdes‑Scantling
Valdes-Scantling, who was initially drafted by the Packers in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, totaled 123 receptions for 2,153 yards and 13 touchdowns during his time in Green Bay. After several stops — the Chiefs, Bills, Saints and Seahawks — he most recently landed with the 49ers and is now poised to inject big-play ability into an offense in need of a spark.
According to league sources, the 49ers signed Valdes-Scantling to a one-year deal as they contend with injuries at receiver and seek to diversify their passing attack. Analysts point out his career average
While financial terms and guaranteed money were not disclosed, the timing of the deal — right as the trade deadline looms — raises questions: Are the 49ers preparing for a playoff run and looking to outpace rivals with bold additions? Or is this an inside gamble on a veteran hoping to recapture earlier form?
A Look At Marquez Valdes-Scantling’s Career Stats
- Games played: 111 (to date)
- Receptions: 209
- Receiving yards: 3,606
- Average yards per catch: 17.3
- Longest reception: 78 yards
- Receiving touchdowns: 20
- Games started: 68
Key Performance Highlights
- His best statistical season in terms of average yards per catch came in 2020 with the Green Bay Packers: 33 receptions for 690 yards (20.9 avg) and 6 touchdowns.
- In 2024, playing for the New Orleans Saints, he recorded 17 receptions for 385 yards (22.6 avg) and 4 touchdowns in 8 games.
- He has been valued as a deep-threat receiver given his high average yardage per catch.
What to Watch
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How the 49ers integrate Valdes-Scantling: will he start in base sets or serve as situational deep-threat option?
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Whether his presence forces opposing defenses to respect more vertical attack, thereby opening up underneath routes for other receivers and the tight ends.
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Whether this signing signals more aggressive trade-deadline activity from San Francisco — either for more receivers or other offensive weapons.
