Riley Moss' ribs injury 'nothing serious,' Broncos head coach Sean Payton says

Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post on Aug 24, 2026

Published in Football

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DENVER — The Denver Broncos’ starting defense dodged a bullet.

Cornerback Riley Moss, who left Friday’s preseason loss to Green Bay on the second play of the night with an injury to his ribs, did not sustain a serious injury, head coach Sean Payton said Monday.

Moss didn’t practice on Monday and was relegated to light conditioning work on the side field.

“He’s doing fine,” Payton said. “It’s nothing serious. We’re being smart. We’ll see as the week progresses where he’s at.”

Moss nearly came away with an interception on the first snap of Friday’s game, jumping an out-breaking route to Packers receiver Christian Watson and getting both hands on the ball. On the next play, Denver corner Pat Surtain II knocked the ball away from Watson and Moss picked it up, but was hit in the side in the process. Watson was ruled down by contact and Moss didn’t return to the game after that. Most of the Broncos’ defensive starters didn’t play after the first drive of the game.

Frank Crum also hurt Friday, but ‘doing good’

Payton didn’t give specifics on offensive tackle Frank Crum, but did not make it sound like he was hurt badly during Friday’s game. Crum was not seen at practice on Monday.

“He’s doing good,” Payton said. “We’ll have a couple of these guys — so far, we’ve had a few injuries that were costly for some players, but hopefully we can get through this next stretch, you know, relatively healthy.”

Crum, undrafted out of the University of Wyoming in 2024, tied rookie Kage Casey among offensive players Friday by playing 37 snaps. He was in until a 9-yard Sam Ehlinger sack midway through the fourth quarter. After that, Denver ran just two more plays in the final minute to bleed the rest of the clock.

Injury updates

Among the rest of the roster, center Luke Wattenberg and wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. each did team work for the first time since getting injured early in camp. Wattenberg took most of the first-team reps but didn’t have a completely full workload.

Also not practicing: OLB Drew Sanders, C Alex Forsyth and TE Caleb Lohner. Lohner, though, was working out on the side field for the first time since the team reported in late July.

Sean Payton excited about adding veteran Taylor Rapp

The Broncos last week added veteran safety Taylor Rapp to their roster by signing him to a one-year deal. The contract is worth the veteran minimum, $1.3 million, according to NFLPA data and comes with $100,000 guaranteed, a source said.

“Veteran player we liked,” Payton said Monday. “Had good grades on (him) and just, more talent at that position. It wasn’t us pounding the table, ‘‘we need a safety.’ It was, hey, this player is available. Let’s work him out and sign him if possible.

“I’m glad he’s here. We’ve had experience playing against him. He’s got real good football instincts and awareness that serves you well at that position. I think it was more availability than necessity, if that makes sense.”

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