According to Mike Klis of 9News, the 2023 third-round pick from Arkansas tore his Achilles. According to Klis, Sanders suffered the injury while participating in the Broncos’ offseason program late last month, and the defense later underwent successful surgery. Historically, the accident would result in at least a year of downtime, but at 22, and with some modern medical improvements Klis said the Broncos aim to get Sanders return late in the 2024 season.
The NFL Draft suggested that the Broncos may be shifting away from valuing Sanders, though we didn’t know why at the time. Jonah Elliss, an outside linebacker, was taken in the third round to join Jonathon Cooper, Baron Browning, and Nik Bonitto. The team also added veteran defender John Franklin-Myers during the draft.
Sanders plays both inside and outside, but Denver sees him as a long-term starter who will likely return to the interior. He played both in college, recording 9.5 sacks and one interception in his last season of SEC play.
And at 6-foot-4, 235 pounds and a 4.59 40-yard dash, it’s easy to see why the Broncos like the kid. Sanders remained on the field throughout his first season, appearing in 17 games with four starts and recording 24 tackles.
The Broncos’ front seven struggled at times last season, and with Josey Jewell gone and Sanders injured, Alex Singleton, Cody Barton, Jonas Griffith, and Justin Strnad will be expected to step up.
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