Injury Resilience Shown by the Denver Broncos Players

In the NFL, where physicality and speed collide, injuries are an unavoidable part of the game. But what separates great teams from good ones is how players respond to those setbacks—how they fight through pain, endure grueling rehab, and return stronger than before. For the Denver Broncos, 2024 has been a season defined not just by wins, but by the remarkable resilience of their players, who have turned devastating injuries into stories of courage and determination. From ACL tears to shoulder surgeries, Broncos players have refused to let injuries end their seasons—or their impact on the team. Injury Resilience Shown by the Denver Broncos Players explores these inspiring journeys, highlighting how resilience has become a core part of the Broncos’ identity and a driving force behind their success.

Injury Resilience Shown by the Denver Broncos Players begins with running back Javonte Williams—a player whose comeback from a catastrophic knee injury has become one of the most inspiring stories in the NFL. In 2022, Williams suffered a torn ACL, MCL, and meniscus in his right knee—a injury that often takes players 12+ months to recover from, if they return at all. But Williams approached rehab with a relentless mindset: he showed up to the Broncos’ facility at 6 a.m. every day, spent 4+ hours on strength training and physical therapy, and even worked with a sports psychologist to stay mentally focused. By Week 1 of the 2023 season, he was back on the field—sooner than anyone expected. But his resilience didn’t stop there. In 2024, Williams has rushed for 950 yards and 7 touchdowns, including a 120-yard performance against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8, where he broke three tackles on a 40-yard touchdown run. “Javonte’s comeback isn’t just about football—it’s about heart,” said Broncos running backs coach Curtis Modkins. “He never doubted himself, even when doctors said he might not be the same player. That’s resilience.” For Broncos fans, Williams’ journey is a reminder that setbacks don’t define you—it’s how you respond to them that matters.

A player whose resilience has flown somewhat under the radar, but is no less impactful, is tight end Greg Dulcich—who overcame a series of nagging injuries to become a key part of the Broncos’ offense in 2024. Dulcich, a third-round pick in 2022, missed 10 games in his first two seasons with hamstring and knee injuries, leading some to question if he could stay healthy enough to contribute. But in 2024, he approached training camp with a new focus: he worked with a biomechanics specialist to fix his running form (which was causing the hamstring issues) and added 10 pounds of muscle to support his knees. The result? A breakout season: through 14 games, Dulcich has 52 catches for 680 yards and 5 touchdowns, including a game-winning 25-yard catch against the Buffalo Bills in Week 7. What makes his resilience stand out is his ability to stay positive during the tough times. “There were days I wanted to quit,” Dulcich admitted in an interview. “But I thought about how hard I’d worked to get here, and I knew I couldn’t give up.” His most inspiring moment came in Week 12, when he played through a mild ankle sprain to catch 6 passes for 85 yards in a win over the Baltimore Ravens. “Greg’s resilience is contagious,” said quarterback Russell Wilson. “He shows up every day ready to work, even when he’s hurt. That pushes all of us to be better.”

A key example of Injury Resilience Shown by the Denver Broncos Players is defensive tackle D.J. Jones—who returned from a season-ending shoulder injury in 2023 to become a anchor of the Broncos’ run defense in 2024. Jones, a free-agent signing in 2022, suffered a torn rotator cuff in Week 6 of 2023, forcing him to undergo surgery and miss the rest of the season. The rehab was grueling: he couldn’t lift his right arm above his shoulder for 8 weeks, and simple tasks like brushing his teeth became a challenge. But Jones stayed focused: he used his time off to study film (helping the defensive line coaches prepare game plans) and worked with a nutritionist to maintain his weight (critical for a defensive tackle). By training camp in 2024, he was fully healthy—and better than ever. Through 14 games, Jones has 38 tackles, 3 sacks, and 8 tackles for loss, and the Broncos rank 6th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed (98 per game). “D.J. could have taken it easy during rehab, but he didn’t,” said Broncos defensive line coach Marcus Dixon. “He used that time to get smarter and stronger, and it shows on the field.” For the Denver Broncos, Jones’ resilience is a key reason their defense has been so dominant—he’s a player who leads by example, even when faced with adversity.

Another player whose resilience has made a huge impact on the Broncos is cornerback Pat Surtain II—who played through a painful ankle injury for most of the 2024 season, refusing to miss a single game. Surtain, one of the league’s top cornerbacks, sprained his left ankle in Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders, an injury that would have sidelined most players for 2–3 weeks. But Surtain, knowing how important he is to the Broncos’ secondary, opted to play through it. He wore a custom ankle brace, received treatment 3 times a day, and adjusted his game to avoid putting too much pressure on the ankle (he focused more on zone coverage, which requires less running). The result? He’s still having a Pro Bowl-caliber season: 4 interceptions, 18 passes defended, and a career-high 65 tackles. His most resilient moment came in Week 10 against the Green Bay Packers, when he shut down Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (who had 10 touchdowns in 2023) to just 1 catch for 12 yards—all while playing on a sprained ankle. “Pat’s resilience is next-level,” said Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. “He’s a competitor who hates missing games, even when he’s hurt. That’s the kind of player you build a defense around.” For the Denver Broncos, Surtain’s willingness to play through pain has kept their secondary intact—and their playoff hopes alive.

Wrapping up Injury Resilience Shown by the Denver Broncos Players is the collective impact of this resilience—how it has turned the Denver Broncos into a tougher, more unified team that refuses to quit. In 2024, the Broncos have had 11 players miss at least one game due to injury, but they’ve still compiled a 10–4 record and are in contention for the AFC West title. That’s no coincidence: the resilience of players like Williams, Dulcich, Jones, and Surtain has set a tone for the entire team. When one player goes down, another steps up—and when a player returns from injury, they bring a new level of determination. “Resilience isn’t just about individual players—it’s about our team culture,” said head coach Sean Payton. “We teach our players to embrace adversity, to see injuries as challenges, not roadblocks. That’s what makes this team special.” For the Denver Broncos, this resilience will be crucial in the playoffs, where injuries are common and teams need to dig deep to win. It’s a trait that can’t be measured in stats, but it’s one of the most valuable assets a team can have. Injury Resilience Shown by the Denver Broncos Players ultimately shows that in the NFL, talent wins games—but resilience wins championships. And the Broncos have plenty of both.