NFL news

The Broncos’ safety now has a chance to play in Week 9 against the Panthers, though it is possible he still needs another week. Getting Hufanga back in the lineup will help improve a Broncos defense that has somewhat underperformed this year.

The former second-team All-Pro safety left last week’s game against the Chargers with the injury. Hufanga has been one of the biggest havoc creators in the league this year with one forced fumble and two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. His absence will be a big blow to the Broncos’ defense, which is already without Patrick Surtain II, Jonathon Cooper, and potentially Riley Moss for their Week 6 matchup against the Seahawks.

It was an estimated session, but one that probably bodes pretty prescient since Hufanga left Week 5’s game with the ankle injury and was ruled out. Riley Moss (ribs) was listed as limited and would appear to have a chance to come back after being ruled out for Week 5.

Palmer dropped some quick-hitting notes on Monday’s camp practice, singling out Hufanga as fully healthy. Hufanga agreed to a three-year contract with the Broncos this offseason after coming off consecutive season-ending injuries in 2023 and 2024, the former of which was a torn ACL and the latter being a torn ligament in his wrist. He’ll look to regain his high-level play with the Broncos after earning first-team All-Pro honors in his last fully healthy season in 2022 while with the 49ers.

The deal is worth up to $45 million. Hufanga was a rising star coming out of his second NFL season. He started all 17 games in 2022 and totaled two sacks, nine pass breakups, and four interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. Hufanga then tore his ACL 10 games into the 2023 season. His recovery lasted into the following season and he also missed time with a wrist injury, limiting him to just seven appearances. With a clean bill of health heading into 2025, Hufanga will look to get back on track as part of a Denver defense that ranked third in points allowed last year.

Hufanga bolsters an already sharp secondary, although the absence of DE Nick Bosa could place additional strain on the second level with a lessened ability to generate organic pressure up front. Expect Hufanga to step back into his starting safety role after missing all but two games this season.