The 3-3 Denver Broncos play against the 2-4 New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome for their seventh regular season game and Sean Payton’s first game back in New Orleans since stepping down after the 2021 season. One crucial matchup to monitor throughout the game is the Saints’ 28th-ranked offensive line vs. the Broncos’ 13th-ranked defensive line (h/t PFF) in the battle of the trenches. The Broncos’ defense line has the upper hand in this matchup as they rank 1st in pass rush and 10th in run stop win rate compared to the Saints’ offensive line, which ranks 29th in pass block and 17th in run block win rate (h/t ESPN).
The Broncos have accomplished this feat without one of their best pass rushers in the starting rotation for quite some time.
The Denver Broncos talented EDGE rusher hasn’t played since Week 2
Baron Browning suffered an apparent foot injury in their Week 2 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Broncos placed him on injured reserve ahead of Week 3, and he missed their last four games. Browning can return to the football field now that four weeks have passed.
The Broncos designated Browning and Mike McGlinchey for return from injured reserve on Tuesday. This means they opened his 21-day practice window, which allows him to practice before being activated. If he doesn’t practice or the team chooses not to activate him in the 21-day timeframe, he will miss the rest of the season.
He returned to practice this week.
They announced massive news
Baron Browning was estimated as a limited participant on Tuesday and upgraded to a full participant in Wednesday’s practice. According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Denver Broncos plan to activate Browning from injured reserve today and utilize him for tonight’s game. Having Browning back in the rotation will provide a spark for their pass rush.
The #Broncos plan to activate and play pass rusher Baron Browning tonight vs. #Saints, per source.
Browning went on Injured Reserve after Week 2 but returned to practice this week, now gives Denver an extra rusher.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) October 17, 2024
Who replaced him in the starting rotation?
Nik Bonitto has replaced Baron Browning in the starting rotation, starting the last four games in his stead. So far, Bonitto has done a solid job in relief of their injured pass rusher, with 12 tackles, four TFLs, 12 pressures, seven QB hits, and four sacks, according to Pro Football Reference. He currently ranks T-2nd in TFLs, 3rd in QB hits, and 2nd in sacks on the team.
Who’s the other starter?
Jonathon Cooper is the other starting EDGE rusher on the Denver Broncos defense. Cooper has done an incredible job throughout the first six games of the 2024 season. He has 25 tackles, four TFLs, 12 pressures, ten QB hits, 4.5 sacks, and one forced fumble, according to Pro Football Reference. He ranks T-2nd in TFLs, 2nd in QB hits, and 1st in sacks.
Like Browning, Cooper is in a contract year and will be an unrestricted free agent after the season’s end.
