Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Young Broncos defender continues to battle the injury bug as a new setback clouds his 2025 season outlook

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Kyle Crabbs | Last updated Jul 27, 2025 9:09 PM ET

Denver Broncos linebacker Drew Sanders simply cannot catch a break.

The Broncos made Sanders the 67th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft with the hopes that he would become another valuable piece of a front seven that has, over the past few seasons, developed into one of the best in football. Denver doesn't have the top-shelf star power in the front that some other teams boast but they have a lot of depth and plenty of impactful talent. After a torn Achilles cost Sanders most of his second year in the league, he's now suffered another injury setback that will reportedly cost him the start of the 2025 season, too.

Broncos linebacker Drew Sanders suffers tendon injury in his foot

#Broncos LB Drew Sanders, an up-and-coming defender, suffered a tendon injury in his foot in practice that will keep him out an extended period of time, sources say post-MRI.

Sanders is not expected back before the season begins and further testing will determine what’s next. pic.twitter.com/oEobvTmdmk
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 27, 2025

Sanders was carted off the practice field yesterday with a lower body injury that has now, after further review, been revealed to be a tendon injury in his foot. The report, courtesy of NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, indicates that Sanders is not expected to be back for the start of the regular season and that additional testing is required.

Sanders played in 17 games as a rookie in 2023, but logged just 258 defensive snaps that season, serving predominantly as a special teamer. He suffered the Achilles tear in the spring of 2024 and began the season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list before being activated in late November. Sanders dressed in four games and played 18 defensive snaps on the season.

Now? He's expected to miss the start of his second consecutive season. With all of the talent available in Denver's front, playing time may end up being hard to come by whenever he's ready to come back. Sanders is a capable hybrid stack linebacker and pass rusher but both spots are brimming for the Broncos, especially after the signing of Dre Greenlaw in free agency this spring.

Here's to Sanders' latest injury being one that he can bounce back from quickly. As a talent still looking to establish himself at the pro level, he's running out of time and opportunities before labels such as 'injury prone' begin to start being attached to his name — whether that's fair or not.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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