ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Broncos played without starting safety Brandon Jones two weeks ago against Atlanta.
They played without starting defensive end Zach Allen last week against Las Vegas.
The Broncos won both games.
They will now play without a third different defensive starter in three weeks as cornerback Riley Moss has been declared out with his right knee injury for the game Monday night against the Cleveland Browns at Empower Field at Mile High.
Per Broncos coach Sean Payton, Moss suffered an MCL injury late in the first half of the Broncos' 29-19 victory against the Raiders. He did not return. With the Broncos on bye next week, Moss will have two weeks to rest and rehab before he is reevaluated prior to their following game Dec. 15 against Indianapolis.
Meanwhile, the Broncos listed Josh Reynolds as "questionable,'' which raises the possibility the veteran receiver could be activated from injured reserve for the game against the Browns. He was listed as OUT the previous two games.
Reynolds has been on IR the past seven games, initially because of a fractured finger although more recently in part because Broncos young receivers Devaughn Vele and Troy Franklin have been developing nicely.
The deadline to activate Reynolds is not until Wednesday so the Broncos may have him wait another week.
With Moss down, the Broncos figure to start veteran cornerback Levi Wallace in his place. Wallace, 29, was a six-year starter with Buffalo and Pittsburgh before he became a backup with the Broncos this year. Damarri Mathis also figures to get more cornerback snaps.
“We have depth there,'' Payton said. "They’ve played a lot. Those guys have done well.”
A fourth-round draft pick out of Pitt in 2022, Mathis became a starter as a rookie and through the first six games last year before he was replaced. He has played mostly special teams since then but doesn't think he'll be affected by rust.
"Nah. I attack each week the same — like I'm playing,'' Mathis said. "Whenever they need me I'll be ready. I'm preparing like I'm going to play."
His left foot
The Browns have a big-legged punter in Corey Bojorquez, who has a gross average of 50.3 yards. Bojorquez is also left-footed so the Broncos brought in lefty punter Colton Spangler ostensibly for a tryout, but really so Marvin Mims Jr. and backup returner Tremon Smith could practice catching the reverse spin.
