September 9th 2024.
The 2023 season was a great one for the Broncos as they managed to keep their starting offensive line intact for most of the year. However, they faced some challenges in their first game of the 2024 season. Left tackle Garett Bolles, who is the longest-tenured player on the team, suffered an ankle injury in the fourth quarter and was unable to return to the game. Head coach Sean Payton shared that Bolles went to the locker room for an MRI, but later returned to the sideline with his helmet on, trying to get back into the game.
Despite his determination, Bolles ultimately had to watch the rest of the game from the sidelines. Coach Payton reassured reporters that the injury was not serious and that Bolles only had a bruise. Bolles himself declined to speak with the media after the game, walking gingerly and receiving support from his teammates. His final play of the game was a third-and-6 with over 13 minutes left, and he was replaced by fifth-year NFL player Matt Peart for the last two drives. Peart also filled in as the jumbo tight end, a role that was previously held by Quinn Bailey until he got injured in training camp.
One bright spot in the game was the debut of rookie wide receiver Devaughn Vele. Despite the team's struggles on offense, Vele showed promise by catching all eight passes thrown his way. He may have only gained 39 yards, but he was a frequent target of fellow rookie Bo Nix. Vele expressed his satisfaction with his first NFL game, acknowledging the tough loss but also recognizing the learning opportunities it provided. He also emphasized that his focus is on contributing to the team, regardless of his personal statistics.
Another standout performance came from cornerback Pat Surtain II, who just signed a huge contract extension before the game. He proved his worth by mostly covering Seattle's top receiver DK Metcalf. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Surtain was matched up against Metcalf for 24 of the 25 routes he ran. Metcalf only managed to catch three out of four targets for a total of 29 yards.
The game also saw linebacker Alex Singleton make his first interception as a Bronco, and only the third of his NFL career. It was his first pick since 2021 when he played for the Philadelphia Eagles. The Broncos entered the game with a healthy roster, which meant that their inactive list only included healthy scratches. This included tight end Lucas Krull, defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike, and four rookies: wide receiver Troy Franklin, running back Blake Watson, offensive tackle Frank Crum, and cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine. Quarterback Zach Wilson was listed as inactive but was dressed as the team's emergency third quarterback.
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