Even after trading outside linebacker Baron Browning to the Arizona Cardinals, the Denver Broncos still have a deep pass rush depth chart.
And it might get even deeper.
Broncos outside linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles) is “close to returning” from the physically unable to perform list, according to a report from KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. Sanders tore his Achilles in April and coach Sean Payton said this spring that the team was hopeful he would return in the fall.
“Fortunately, it was an early enough timeline — we’ll bring him back,” Payton said in May. “I don’t want to say October, but the good news is the surgery was done, it was clean. There wasn’t anything complex about the injury.”
Once he returns, Sanders will join an outside linebacker room that features Jonathon Cooper and Nik Bonitto. Denver also has Jonah Ellis and Dondrea Tillman providing rotational depth at the position.
Sanders, 23, was picked by the Broncos in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft out of Arkansas. He started four games as a rookie.