Denver Broncos: Ronald Darby to be back for Steelers game
The Denver Broncos could get cornerback Ronald Darby back for their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 5.
The Denver Broncos lost cornerback Ronald Darby to an injury following their Week 1 game against the New York Giants. Despite Darby finishing out the game, he was diagnosed with a hamstring injury.
Darby was placed on injured reserve, forcing him to miss at least three weeks (per injured reserve rules). At the end of the day, Darby only missing one more game than he’s technically required to is a win for the Denver Broncos.
That puts him on schedule to be ready to face the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The team signed Darby to a three-year, $30 million deal this past offseason after moving on from A.J. Bouye after the 2020 season. The team also has Michael Ojemudia on injured reserve, and Essang Bassey, who tore his ACL last season, as well as Duke Dawson, are on the Physically Unable to Perform list.
Ran into CB Ronald Darby after game. He said he felt hamstring tighten in second-to-last series vs. Giants. He finished game. Didn't know anything was wrong til next day.
— Mike Klis (@mikeklis) September 27, 2021
Has to stay on IR through BAL next week but he says he'll be ready for game 5 at PIT. We'll see. #9sports
In Darby’s absence during Week 2’s victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Denver Broncos started rookie cornerback Pat Surtain in his place. Surtain has shown off his amazing ability to stay with wideouts so far this season.
Against the Baltimore Ravens, he will face a bigger test.
Not only will Surtain face the likes of Sammy Watkins and/or Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown, but he’ll be faced with the task of deciphering quarterback runs with Lamar Jackson on the other side of the ball. It could prove to be a big problem for Surtain and the other corners, but at the end of the day, better competition will make the already-stout defense even better.
As I mentioned previously, Michael Ojemudia is still on injured reserve but will be eligible to come off of the list soon. The Broncos have an incredible secondary, led by Justin Simmons and Kyle Fuller, and re-incorporating Darby back into the mix will make them that much better.
There will be bumps in the road throughout the season, no doubt. It is important to focus on the positives, though. Getting Darby back is going to be huge.