The Broncos will take on the 49ers at Empower Field at Mile High on Sept. 25 at 6:20 p.m. MT.
MATCHUP
After topping the Texans, the Broncos will look to build on their first win of the season as the 49ers come to town for "Sunday Night Football." Quarterback Russell Wilson will face a familiar foe in a former NFC West rival, and he could use another great performance from wide receiver Courtland Sutton — especially if fellow wideout Jerry Jeudy remains out with a rib injury that forced him to leave Denver's Week 2 game. Against a pass rush led by defensive linemen Nick Bosa and Arik Armstead, Wilson will need to make decisions quickly and be at his most agile to avoid them in the backfield. A good day from the Broncos' rushing tandem of Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon III could go a long way, but the 49ers' rush defense, led by linebacker Fred Warner, currently ranks No. 1 in the league in yards allowed per carry.
Defensively, the Broncos now face a more experienced quarterback under center with a different style of play after starter Trey Lance suffered a season-ending ankle injury last week. In his place will be the former starter, Jimmy Garoppolo, who helped lead the 49ers to an NFC Championship Game appearance a year ago. While three-time Pro Bowl tight end George Kittle is still waiting to make his 2022 debut because of a groin injury, Garoppolo still has 2021 first-team All-Pro receiver Deebo Samuel, who can shoulder the load on offense.
INJURY UPDATE
Note: The Broncos and 49ers will update their injury reports throughout the week, and that information will be reflected here when available. To stay up to date, you can checkthis pagefor the most recently available report.
The Broncos listed 10 players as questionable: Jeudy (rib/shoulder), cornerback Pat Surtain II (shoulder), wide receiver KJ Hamler (knee/hip), inside linebacker Josey Jewell (calf/knee), guard Quinn Meinerz (hamstring), offensive lineman Billy Turner (knee), defensive linemen Dre'Mont Jones (neck) and Mike Purcell (elbow), wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland (hamstring) and outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper (hamstring).
Cornerback Darius Phillips (hamstring) was the only Bronco ruled out.
The biggest injury question for San Francisco for much of the week was whether Kittle would be able to play after missing the first two weeks. The 49ers got their answer Friday, as they announced that the star tight end is cleared to play against Denver.
San Francisco, however, will be without three players, as T Daniel Brunskill (hamstring), RB Tyrion Davis-Price (ankle) and TE Tyler Kroft (knee) were all ruled out. Armstead and T Colton McKivitz (ankle) are listed as questionable.
WATCH ON TV: NBC
Play-by-Play: Mike Tirico
Analyst: Cris Collinsworth
Sideline: Melissa Stark
WATCH ON MOBILE: NFL+
Fans can watch live out-of-market preseason games through NFL+, the NFL's new exclusive streaming subscription service. An NFL+ subscription also includes the ability to stream live local and prime-time games on mobile and tablet devices, as well as live game audio (home, away and national calls) for every game of the season. NFL+ Premium subscriptions also include full game replays across devices.
LISTEN LIVE
LOCAL ENGLISH RADIO (KOA - 850 AM/94.1 FM)
Play-by-Play: Dave Logan
Analyst: Rick Lewis
Sideline: Susie Wargin
NATIONAL RADIO (WESTWOOD ONE)
Play-by-Play: Ryan Radtke
Analyst: Mike Golic
SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS
Follow the Broncos for live game-day updates, videos and behind-the-scenes photos:
Instagram: @Broncos
Twitter: @Broncos
Facebook: Denver Broncos
