Denver Broncos linebacker Drew Sanders suffered a significant foot injury during training camp practice on July 26, 2025, which has cast uncertainty on his availability for the start of the regular season. Sanders, a promising young linebacker entering his third NFL year, was carted off the field after picking up the injury. Initial fears centered around a tendon injury, but team updates have since clarified the situation, providing a more nuanced outlook on his recovery timeline.
During the practice incident, Sanders was seen hopping on one leg and unable to put weight on his right foot. Broncos head coach Sean Payton confirmed after practice that the injury was not a repeat of last year's Achilles tendon tear, which had already sidelined Sanders for much of the 2024 season. Instead, further medical evaluation, including an MRI, identified a ligament injury to the foot rather than the initially reported tendon damage.
Payton described the ligament injury as serious enough to keep Sanders out for an extended period likely more than four to six weeks but noted the prognosis was somewhat encouraging since ligament repairs tend to be less complex than tendon surgery. He also mentioned that surgery may or may not be required, with Sanders currently weighing treatment options alongside the medical staff.
Sanders' injury timeline is shaping up to mean he will almost certainly miss the Broncos' preseason and start the regular season on the injured list. The current team plan involves starting veteran Alex Singleton alongside newcomer Dre Greenlaw at inside linebacker, with Sanders expected to return only after thorough rehabilitation. The Broncos also have backups like Justin Strnad and Levelle Bailey, along with several undrafted rookies vying for roster spots during Sanders’ absence.
Sanders' career thus far has been hampered by injuries. After being selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, he made an immediate impact as a rookie, appearing in all 17 games with 24 tackles and a fumble recovery. Unfortunately, he tore his Achilles in April 2024, causing him to miss much of that season and limiting him to just four games late in 2024, where he managed eight tackles and one sack. Despite limited action, the Broncos have emphasized his potential, viewing him as a future starter at inside linebacker, a position they reconfirmed for him earlier this offseason.
Broncos General Manager George Paton and Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph have spoken highly of Sanders' versatility and ability to pressure quarterbacks from the inside linebacker spot. Payton has praised Sanders as a "pressure player" and indicated the team planned to continue developing him at inside linebacker, highlighting the need for him to get as many reps as possible when healthy.
The timing of this injury is a significant setback for the Broncos, who were counting on Sanders to compete for meaningful snaps and contribute behind their starting linebackers. The team’s cautious "load management" approach in training camp, already in place for other veterans returning from injury, will likely continue as they manage depth and workloads at linebacker.
In summary, Drew Sanders suffered a ligament injury in his foot during Broncos training camp on July 26, 2025, that will sideline him for at least several weeks. While not as severe as an Achilles injury, the ligament damage will keep Sanders out of action as the Broncos begin their season, placing increased responsibility on other inside linebackers. The team remains optimistic about his potential return and future contributions but emphasizes patience in his recovery.
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