Broncos' Surtain II exits with shoulder injury vs Cowboys

Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II was forced from Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys at Empower Field after sustaining a shoulder injury late in the first half, the team announced. The reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year had already been examined for an earlier lower-leg injury but returned to the game before later leaving the locker room at halftime and not returning.

The sequence began on an early red zone play when Surtain leapt to break up a pass to Cowboys receiver George Pickens and landed awkwardly, clutching his lower right leg. Trainers tended to him on the field before he was helped to the sideline medical tent and briefly tested the leg with some warmup activity. He missed only a couple of plays before re-entering the game, compiling five tackles in total before departing later in the half.

Shortly before halftime, Surtain suffered the shoulder injury while attempting a tackle. He went into the locker room at halftime and was ruled out for the remainder of the game. Team officials did not provide a detailed diagnosis immediately following the contest, and the Broncos will evaluate him further to determine the extent of the injury and any...