Broncos star CB Pat Surtain II makes return vs. Commanders after three-game absence

LANDOVER Md The only notable difference about the Broncos best defensive competitor Sunday night was a blue sleeve tugged all the way up his left arm a quiet reminder of the injury that cost Pat Surtain his majority missed time in a five-year NFL career But the cornerback was back healthy Sunday resuming his usual starting spot in defensive coordinator Vance Joseph s unit against the Commanders It was his first match action since late October when he suffered a partial pectoral tear late in the first half of a - win over the Dallas Cowboys It s been a long couple of weeks not being out there Surtain stated reporters Friday The reigning Defensive Performer of the Year wasted no time getting back in the mix on Sunday Night Football coming up to make a pretty one-on-one tackle on a -yard grab by Commanders tight end Zach Ertz A play later he was dinged for a -yard illegal contact penalty that gave Washington a first down Outside of that first-quarter flag though Surtain roamed with his trademark authority against the Commanders in the first quarter He generally stayed attached to one side of the formation rather than shadowing any specific Washington receiver while wearing a harness on his left arm Right now there aren t too a multitude of limitations Surtain declared Friday I m going to keep it in the harness But obviously it allows me to play free as well and play to the best of my ability Tight on tight ends The Broncos felt tight end Nate Adkins knee was close to returning coming into this week head coach Sean Payton reported Friday Not close enough as Adkins didn t practice this week and will now shoot for next week s matchup with the Raiders to return His absence though and the Broncos hesitation to place him on injured reserve means they went with just two traditional tight ends Evan Engram and Adam Trautman against the Commanders Veteran Marcedes Lewis signed to the practice squad in late October to provide blocking help in Adkins stead ran out of elevations last week Denver didn t have a spare roster spot to elevate Lewis Reserve tackle Frank Crum got a helping of offensive looks Sunday in Lewis and Adkins absence serving as a jumbo tight end in heavy-personnel groupings in the first quarter Elliss out Sunday night marked another chapter in a rough season for reserve outside linebacker Jonah Elliss who missed his second straight tournament with a hamstring injury Related Articles Broncos Commanders Bo Nix finds Courtland Sutton to give Denver the lead Broncos fan finds massive YouTube show success with a mix of the profane the inane and unabashed homerism Broncos Journal Why Sean Payton s talking about the No seed more than the AFC West Broncos QB Bo Nix s latest point of emphasis Command and communication between snaps Broncos-Commanders scouting assessment Bo Nix goes head-to-head with another former Oregon Duck in D C Elliss had a terrific camp and preseason and looked poised for a essential role in after recording a sack in Week against the Titans Denver s starting edge duo of Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper has only played about of the Broncos snaps as the organization has looked to keep both healthy for the stretch run But Elliss hasn t been able to take advantage of available snaps with a series of ailments first a shoulder injury that knocked him out for Weeks and and now the hamstring When healthy Elliss recorded one sack and tackles across eight games in playing of the Broncos defensive snaps In his stead Sunday provided another extended look at fourth-round rookie Que Robinson who had two tackles against the Chiefs in Week Hufanga fine Safety Talanoa Hufanga landed on the injury statement Sunday as questionable with an illness a key starter suddenly in doubt a minimal hours before Sunday Night Football was set to kick off Hufanga was out getting loose during early warm-ups in frigid Landover in nothing but a sleeveless hoodie though and was designated as current against the Commanders In addition to Elliss and Adkins the Broncos went with a predictable group of inactives against the Commanders reserve tackle Geron Christian reserve defensive lineman Jordan Jackson and rookie defensive lineman Sai vion Jones Want more Broncos news Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis