In a significant blow to their playoff aspirations, the Denver Broncos will be without standout safety Brandon Jones for the remainder of the regular season. Jones suffered a pectoral injury during the team's Week 15 victory over the Green Bay Packers, cutting short what was shaping up to be another remarkable year for the defensive star.
A Breakout Season Cut Short
Brandon Jones, 27, joined the Broncos in 2024 after his first three professional seasons with the Miami Dolphins. His debut year in Denver was nothing short of spectacular, as he set a franchise record for a safety with 115 combined tackles—a single-season high not seen since 2009. Carrying that momentum into the 2025 season, Jones had already amassed 78 total tackles, one interception, and 0.5 sacks while playing an impressive 93% of defensive snaps across 15 games.
The injury occurred in the second half of the Broncos' 34-26 win against the Green Bay Packers. Jones did not return to the game after the incident. Following the match, NFL Insider Ian Rapoport reported via social media platform X that Jones was believed to have sustained a pectoral injury and was scheduled for an MRI scan.
Diagnosis and Team Impact
Subsequent reports confirmed the severity of the situation. Broncos correspondent Ari Koslow indicated that the MRI likely revealed a serious issue, while ESPN's Jeff Legwold noted it was unclear if surgery would be required. The team officially placed Jones on injured reserve this Monday, confirming he will miss the final three regular-season contests and the Broncos' first playoff game. He will only be eligible to return after that postseason clash.
This loss is substantial for Denver's defense, where Jones had evolved into one of its most underrated yet crucial components. Head coach Sean Payton must now reconfigure his secondary ahead of a critical playoff push.
Who Steps Up in Jones' Absence?
Veteran safety P.J. Locke, 28, is the immediate replacement. Locke stepped in during the second half against the Packers and is now set to move into the starting lineup. This season, Locke has seen limited action, playing only 46 defensive snaps. However, Coach Payton expressed confidence, praising Locke for playing "real well" in relief during Week 15, where he recorded one combined tackle and one pass defended.
The Broncos have experience navigating such setbacks in their defensive backfield. Earlier this season, star cornerback Patrick Surtain II missed three games with a similar injury before returning healthy for Week 13. The team will now closely monitor Jones' recovery timeline, hoping his return can provide a late-season boost to their defensive unit when it matters most.
With the playoffs on the horizon, Denver's ability to adapt without one of its defensive leaders will be a true test of their depth and resilience.
