The Denver Broncos were thrilled to be able to select Arkansas linebacker Drew Sanders in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. It seemed that the linebacker could play inside or outside and help shut down the rushing attack while also adding a pass-rushing element to the defense.
But in his first two seasons, he's played just 276 total snaps on defense. That included only 18 snaps last season after he tore his Achilles tendon in April and missed most of the season. Still, on just 18 snaps last season, he managed to record eight tackles and a quarterback sack.
The talent is there, but in the NFL, you must be available. That is becoming a problem for Sanders. He was carted off the practice field on Saturday and will undergo an MRI to determine the severity of his injury, according to Sean Payton.
Sean Payton speaks about Drew Sanders after he was carted off the field. Mentions they don’t think it’s an achilles injury. #BroncosCountry pic.twitter.com/3Yvkp2qmqj
— Denver Sports 104.3 (@DenSports1043) July 26, 2025
It's not his Achilles again, which is a major relief. At the same time, how much trust can be put into this guy? Last season, he didn't even get to training camp. This year, he was injured in the second practice. Sure, he may have had some bad luck, but the Broncos still need a player they know they can put out there. Though Sanders has flashed potential in small doses, the Broncos still don't even know what they have in him.
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He also plays a position where depth could be incredibly important this year due to the injury history of projected starters Dre Greenlaw and Alex Singleton. If Sanders is going to spend more time healing from an injury, the Broncos will have no choice but to turn to someone like Levelle Bailey in addition to Justin Strnad at the position.
The hope will be that Sanders just suffered a minor setback and can return to the field soon, because he can't afford to miss time this summer. If he does, the Broncos may have to turn the page without ever really knowing what they had.
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