Sanders (ankle) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Patriots.

EDGE Analysis

Sanders has yet to make his season debut, having started the year on injured reserve. The third-year linebacker had his 21-day practice window opened this past Saturday. The 24-year-old was able to practice fully throughout the week, but will ultimately not be activated for Sunday's game. The Broncos currently have 10 active linebackers, and the availability within the unit is likely one of the reasons that Sanders will have to continue to wait for a shot to suit up.

Sanders (ankle) has been ruled out for Saturday's AFC divisional-round tilt against the Bills, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sanders opened the season on injured reserve while recovering from an offseason procedure to repair a torn ligament in his foot. His 21-day practice window opened this past Saturday, and while he was able to log a full practice Thursday, he hasn't progressed enough in his recovery to be activated from injured reserve ahead of the divisional round. Sanders' next chance to make his season debut will be the AFC Championship Game if the Broncos triumph over the Bills on Saturday.

Sanders (foot) was designated to return from the injured reserve list Saturday, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sanders, a 2023 third-round pick from Arkansas, was sidelined for the entire regular season due to a foot injury sustained in training camp. However, it now appears he could return for the Broncos' playoff run. If activated to the active roster prior to Denver's divisional-round matchup next weekend, Sanders will likely operate as one of the team's top reserve inside linebackers.

Head coach Sean Payton said Wednesday that a return for Sanders (foot) "won't be soon," Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sanders tore a ligament in his foot in late July, which led to him being placed on injured reserve at the start of the regular season. Should he play this season, he'll likely work in a rotational role at linebacker and as a contributor on special teams.

Sanders (foot) was placed on injured reserve with a designation to return Tuesday, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official website reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sanders underwent a surgery on his foot in early August after suffering a torn ligament July 26, and he will now be forced to miss at least four games to open the season. In his absence, Karene Reid and Justin Strnad stand to garner some added reps at inside linebacker.

Sanders (foot) underwent successful foot surgery earlier this week, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sanders suffered a torn ligament in his foot July 26, and he's now expected to be sidelined for 4-to-6 weeks while recovering from surgery. Once healthy, the 23-year-old is expected to compete for snaps behind Alex Singleton and Dre Greenlaw at inside linebacker.

Sanders has a torn ligament in his foot instead of a torn tendon, Luca Evans of The Denver Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

The inside linebacker suffered the injury during Saturday's practice and had to be carted off. It was initially feared to be a torn tendon, which, as Broncos coach Sean Payton explained Monday, would have been more serious, per Evans. The 2023 third-round pick, who missed most of last season with a torn Achilles and projects as a backup to Alex Singleton and Dre Greenlaw, could still be out for 4-8 weeks, according to Payton.

Sanders (foot) is not expected to return before the beginning of the regular season, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sanders suffered a tendon injury in his foot at practice Saturday, which was determined to be significant after an MRI. The linebacker will undergo additional imaging in the near future to determine his next steps.

Sanders left Saturday's practice with an undisclosed injury, Luca Evans of The Denver Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sanders initially went to the trainers before heading to the locker room on a cart. The 2023 third-round pick suffered a torn Achilles in May of last year, so he played just four regular-season games and 17 defensive snaps. Sanders will compete for a reserve role in training camp behind Dre Greenlaw and Alex Singleton if he can shake off this injury.

The Broncos activated Sanders (Achilles) from the reserve/PUP list Tuesday, Aric DiLalla of the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sanders was designated to return from the PUP list Nov. 6, and he has been a full practice participant over the past two weeks. His activation Tuesday indicates that the second-year linebacker has fully recovered from his Achilles surgery that he underwent in May. Sanders is on track to make his 2024 regular-season debut in Week 13 against the Browns on Monday, Dec. 2.