Drew

Sanders

Sanders tore his Achilles in an April offseason workout program. It would be surprising if he immediately joined the Broncos linebacker room and got full-time snaps, but we may see the Broncos get his feet wet and decide what they want to do with him over the next few weeks. The 2023 third-rounder started four games last year and had 13 solo tackles while posting a rough 30.0 PFF tackling grade.

The report comes from NBC Houston’s Aaron Wilson, who notes the Broncos also moved S Caden Stearns (patellar tendon) and S Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL) to the active/PUP list. Sanders ruptured his Achilles tendon in late April. Initial reports suggested the team was hopeful he could return before the 2024 season ends. His move to the active/PUP list, rather than the reserve/PUP list, is a positive step in this regard. Should he remain on the active/PUP list entering the regular season, he will be eligible to return against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 5.

Per Mike Klis of Denver 9News, second-year linebacker Drew Sanders tore his Achilles in late April and has already undergone surgery to correct the ailment. That places the 2024 season in doubt for Sanders but the report states that the team in hopeful he can return before the end of the season. The standard six-to-eight-month recovery timetable for full Achilles tears leaves his expected return window some time from the end of October to the end of December, meaning it remains possible that Sanders could make it back in time for the end of the season. That said, there would be no reason to rush him back if the Broncos are out of postseason contention by that time. Sanders played a complementary role for the Broncos during his rookie season, managing just 258 defensive snaps, and was likely to serve in a similar capacity during his second year in the league.

A former five-star who was rated as the top overall recruit from the talent-laden state of Texas, Sanders (6’4/235) spent his first two seasons at EDGE for Alabama where he earned 336 part-time reps during his tenure. In 2022 he transferred to Arkansas where he earned unanimous All-American recognition and became the first linebacker in school history to be named a finalist for the Butkus Award. Despite the move to off-ball, Sanders’ pass rush prowess persisted, finishing second in the SEC with 9.5 sacks despite lining up outside on just 108 of his 846 snaps last year. His 39 pressures ranked fourth among all linebackers while his 77.8 PFF coverage grade was a solid mark, especially considering he was learning a new position. Despite picking up LB quickly, Sanders will still make some incorrect reads and has to improve as a finisher, which is reflected in his 19.7% missed tackle rate. He didn’t test at the Combine, but Sanders’ ability to bring heat from any angle is rare and sets him apart from his 2023 Draft contemporaries.

Sanders (6'5/244) played on a season-high 264 snaps for the Tide in 2021, and finished the year with 24 tackles and nine quarterback pressures. Unfortunately for the sophomore LB, he suffered a hand injury in Week 5 that resulted in him missing several weeks and in playing on just 34 defensive snaps from Weeks 10-13. Prior to joining Alabama, Sanders had been a a five-star linebacker from the 2020 recruiting class, and was ranked as the 22nd best player in his class per 247Sports’ composite rankings. Now at Arkansas, Sanders will look to rebound in 2022.

Sanders (6'5/244) dealt with a hand injury earlier this season that kept him out for four weeks, but returned to a limited role once healthy. Prior to his injury, Sanders appeared on 250 defensive snaps for the Tide, but saw just 34 defensive snaps over the team’s final six games after he returned from injury. Appearing to have been all but phased out of the team’s defensive game plan, the former four-star recruit will now look for new opportunities elsewhere in 2022. This season he totaled 15 tackles and nine quarterback pressures according to Pro Football Focus.

After having to miss some time this month with injury, Sanders (6'5/244) is expected to be in the lineup in time for Alabama’s meeting against LSU. Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban said this week that there’s a “good chance” Sanders will return to the field. So far this season, Sanders totals 20 tackles (10 solo) with two passes defended.

Head coach Nick Saban revealed on Wednesday that Sanders (6'5/244) injured is hand enough so that it required surgery earlier this week. Sanders, a starting outside linebacker for the Crimson Tide, has played on 250 snaps this season according to Pro Football Focus, registering 15 tackles and eight quarterback pressures thus far. Saban also suggested that 2021 five-star prospect Dallas Turner could see more opportunity during Sanders’ absence.

Allen (6'4/242) injured his foot on a second quarter sack of Miami QB D’Eriq King. The redshirt junior, who was taken back to the locker room via medical cart, will undergo surgery at some point this week. HC Nick Saban said on Monday that Allen will “most likely” be out for the remainder of the season. With Allen down, freshman Drew Sanders becomes a player of even greater importance to the Crimson Tide defense. Sanders should be the starter at outside linebacker Saturday when Alabama hosts Mercer, and fellow freshman Dallas Turner should also see an increase in reps.

Allen (6'4/242) looked despondent while being taken back to the locker room via cart during the first half Saturday afternoon, and with good reason. Following the game, HC Nick Saban said that the redshirt junior “may be lost for the season.” If this proves to be the case, 2020 five-star recruit Drew Sanders is the player most likely to fill the void. “We have confidence in Drew,” Saban said, “And we have a couple of other young players that are gonna have to -- you know, Dallas Turner -- and some of the young players we have are gonna have an opportunity to play now at that position, as well.”