ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Statistically, the Denver Broncos boast the best defense in the NFL, and it could be getting even better this weekend.
Linebacker Dre Greenlaw is eligible to come off injured reserve (IR) against the New York Giants (2-4) on Sunday after recovering from a quadriceps injury that sidelined him since summertime. Greenlaw practiced Wednesday for the first time since September 12.
“Dre looked good out there,” star cornerback Patrick Surtain II said. “Obviously, his first day back out there on the field in a minute. It seems like he’s very sharp on everything, the game plan, so I’m very excited for him.”
Greenlaw’s return also has his teammates eager to see how much better the Broncos (4-2) can become with their prized free-agent acquisition making his Denver debut.
“I think it’s awesome,” edge rusher Jonathon Cooper said. “Obviously, we know the type of player Dre Greenlaw is, you watch the film. And you add that type of dynamic to this defense with him being right, it’s just going to take us even to another level. I’m excited for him to return.”
Denver’s defense leads the NFL in several key categories, including red zone defense (28.6%) and third-down defense (27.1%). Their 254.2 yards allowed per game is just behind Atlanta’s 253.4.
The Broncos also lead the league with 30 sacks, which is 10 more than second-place Pittsburgh. Nik Bonitto leads the NFL with eight sacks, putting him on pace for 23 this season.
Cooper was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week on Wednesday, just one week after Bonitto earned the honor.
“It’s just motivating me to do more,” Cooper said.
Cooper and Bonitto are the first Broncos teammates to win the league’s weekly defensive award back-to-back.
“I’m just trying to beat him. I can’t let him take over me. I should be out there with sacks with him right now,” Cooper joked, who has 4 1/2 sacks himself. “But no, I think it’s really cool. That’s my brother. I shout him out every time I get a chance to. Yeah, he’s one of the best football players I’ve ever played with. He does it one week, I’ve got to make sure I’m right there with him, you know?”
The Broncos held the New York Jets to minus-10 passing yards in a gritty 13-11 win in London last Sunday. They limited quarterback Justin Fields to just nine completions and sacked him nine times — the second-highest single-game total in franchise history.
Cooper is eager to see what Denver’s defense can accomplish this Sunday when they face Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart.
“Yeah, I mean, he’s a young guy. He’s feeling himself a little bit. He’s out there running around, he’s got the chain on, he’s dancing,” Cooper said. “You know, looks like everybody needs something. But we went against QBs who have run around the pocket and everything, try to do stuff with their legs. So, it ain’t nothing we haven’t seen.”
With Dre Greenlaw back and a dominant defensive unit clicking, the Broncos hope to keep their momentum going as they aim for continued success this season.
https://www.denver7.com/sports/broncos/broncos-top-ranked-defense-set-to-get-even-better-with-dre-greenlaws-return