Pat Surtain vs. Ja’Marr Chase: CB-WR matchup is a must see on Monday night | Broncos notebook
ENGLEWOOD — The Broncos-Bengals game on Monday night is a showcase of best on best.
Denver cornerback Pat Surtain vs. Cincinnati wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase.
Last year, in a late season 30-24 overtime loss to the Bengals, Surtain held Chase without a touchdown catch. Surtain explained his approach to success while defending top NFL wide receivers like Chase.
“I just think it goes with my preparation, understanding, just being patient at the line. Because you know he’s a tough cover, so you have to be patient with him,” Surtain said. “Trusting your technique, switching it up on him. When I look at matchups like that, I always try to look at the routes that he succeeds in and how frequently does he get open in certain looks. I try to minimize that as much as I can. It’s just all about the preparation and study habits … on the field to prepare for matchups like that.”
Chase had one breakout game this season with 14 receptions for 145 yards and one touchdown in a Week 2 victory over the Jaguars. Yet he was mostly pedestrian against the Browns (two catches/26 yards) and the Vikings (five catches/50 yards).
He’s been without starting quarterback Joe Burrow since Sept. 15 Burrow has been on injured reserve (turf toe). Backup Jake Browning will start against the Broncos.
Surtain did not allow a completion on just one target in the season opening win over the Titans. But the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year — in coverage snaps against the Colts and Chargers — gave up a combined 10 catches for 114 yards, according to Next Gen Stats.
“Two great players,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor told reporters at his Thursday news conference in Cincinnati. “I’m not going to make predictions on what they’re going to do to us. But a great corner. It’s always good to watch Ja’Marr matched up against great corners. If Tee (Higgins) gets matched up as well, we always expect our guys to hold their own and win. … A lot of respect for (Surtain). He’s a very willing tackler. He’s a physical corner. He can run. He can cover. He can make plays on the balls. I think he’s a really, really elite corner in this league. I think our guys are always up for that challenge.”
Engram back at practice
Broncos tight end Evan Engram returned to practice Thursday as a full participant after missing one game due to a back injury.
Engram was hurt Sept. 14 at Indianapolis and did not practice all of last week. He then sat out last Sunday’s 23-20 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Denver next plays at home Monday night against Cincinnati. If Engram is able to play, the Broncos will need to decide whether to activate three or four tight ends. They also have Adam Trautman and Lucas Krull, who have been active for the first three games, and Nate Adkins, who returned against the Chargers after missing the first two games following ankle surgery.
All of Denver’s players on the 53-man roster practiced Thursday. Defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers was listed as limited due to a hip injury.
Midnight navy jerseys
The Broncos are wearing an alternate uniform Monday night for the first time this season.
The midnight navy jerseys are a dark blue shade, and based on practice attire Thursday at Broncos Park, expect players to match it with midnight navy helmets and pants. It seems the all-blue look is a hit with players.
“I think it’s a dope uniform combination. You’ve got all the navy,” safety Devon Key told The Denver Gazette. “It goes with the nighttime theme. It’s super cool.”
Tight end Adam Trautman said midnight navy is the team’s “close second” favorite jersey behind the Orange Crush throwback uniforms.
Briefly
Broncos fullback Adam Prentice was grateful to be signed to 53-man roster this week. He told The Denver Gazette: “It’s a testament to the work I’ve put in at home for an opportunity when I got here. It’s just the beginning. I’ve got to keep working and keep earning it every day.” … Outside linebacker Nik Bonitto is keeping a positive perspective on Denver’s 1-2 start to the season. On Thursday, he said: “At the end of the day, we’re not trying to be Super Bowl champions in Week 3 of the season. Obviously, we want to be undefeated right now. But if we’re peaking in Week 3, it’s not going to be good.” … The Bengals are preparing for the high altitude at Empower Field. Taylor told reporters in Cincinnati: “Our guys understand what it’s going to feel like a little bit. You can get winded.”
The Denver Gazette Broncos beat reporter Chris Tomasson contributed to this report.
