LANDOVER, Md. -- The only notable difference about the Broncos' best defensive player 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 most 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 game action since late October, when he suffered a partial pectoral tear late in the first half of a 44-24 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
"It's been a long couple of weeks, not being out there," Surtain told reporters Friday.
The reigning Defensive Player 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 5-yard grab by Commanders tight end Zach Ertz. A play later, he was dinged for a 5-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 many limitations," Surtain said 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 said 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 game with a hamstring injury.
Elliss had a terrific camp and preseason and looked poised for a significant role in 2025 after recording a sack in Week 1 against the Titans. Denver's starting edge duo of Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper has only played about 60% 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 6 and 7, and now the hamstring.
When healthy, Elliss recorded one sack and 14 tackles across eight games in 2025, playing 38% 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 11.
Hufanga fine. Safety Talanoa Hufanga landed on the injury report Sunday as questionable with an illness, a key starter suddenly in doubt a few 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 active 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.