Surtain ruled out after ankle injury as Broncos lose two more

Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II left Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers with a noncontact ankle injury and was ruled out after halftime, as Denver also lost starting cornerback Riley Moss and reserve receiver Pat Bryant to injuries. Surtain went down late in the second quarter and was helped from the field by medical staff. The Broncos initially listed him as questionable to return, then ruled him out for the second half, according to reports of the team’s game status. The supplied reports do not establish a confirmed diagnosis, the injury’s severity or a recovery timetable. Moss was ruled out for the second half with a rib injury. Bryant left in the third quarter and did not return. The injuries left Denver without both starting cornerbacks during the game. No further updates on the players’ conditions were reported. Coach Sean Payton said the absences affected defensive coordinator Vance Joseph’s play-calling and could limit the defensive packages available to the team. Payton said the losses might prevent Denver from using some packages, including dime coverage, while leaving nickel coverage as a possibility.