Denver, CO – October 16, 2025

The Denver Broncos’ Thursday practice report listed a surprising Did Not Participate beside the name of one of their young rising defenders. But this time, it wasn’t about injury or rest — it was about love, sacrifice, and something far greater than football.

According to team sources, Jonah Elliss was excused from practice after donating blood to support his mother’s emergency heart surgery earlier this week. Coaches and teammates fully backed his decision, describing it as a selfless act that embodied true family values within the Broncos locker room.

Elliss, a second-year edge rusher and one of Denver’s most promising young pass rushers, has appeared in five games this season, recording 11 total tackles (9 solo, 2 assists), 1 sack, 3 tackles for loss, and 2 QB hits

. Averaging 25.2 defensive snaps per game (around 30%), he’s been an energetic rotational presence behind Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper.

With a PFF grade of 58.7 (ranked 105th out of 169 EDGE)

— including a 64.3 pass-rush grade (69th) — Elliss has shown flashes of the explosiveness that made him a standout at Utah, particularly his 4.6-second 40-yard dash speed and devastating spin move. Coaches have noted his progress as a rotational pass rusher capable of creating pressure in limited snaps.

His lone sack of the season came in Week 1 against the Titans, a 16-yard takedown that showcased his burst off the edge and timing against veteran linemen. But his momentum was briefly halted by shoulder and rib issues that kept him sidelined in Week 6 versus the Jets.

Broncos head coach Sean Payton praised the young defender after Thursday’s walkthrough, saying, “Jonah’s the kind of player you want in your building — tough, humble, and full of heart. What he did this week says everything about his character. Family comes first, and we all stand behind him.”

While his run defense (PFF 56.7, ranked 117th) remains an area for improvement, Elliss’s ceiling as a pure pass rusher continues to excite Denver’s coaching staff. The Broncos expect him to return for

Week 7, healthier and hungrier, ready to reclaim his rhythm as part of the defensive rotation.

For Broncos Country, this wasn’t just another absence on the injury report. It was a reminder that behind every helmet and highlight reel lies a son, a family, and a story bigger than the game itself.

When Elliss steps back onto the field, the blood he gave won’t just have saved a life — it’ll serve as a living testament to the heart that beats beneath the Broncos’ orange and blue.

The San Francisco 49ers have wasted no time addressing a pressing need in their secondary. With roster depth at safety stretched thin, the front office has acted ahead of the preseason finale and looming roster deadline.

The urgency stems from key departures and lingering injuries. Former Pro Bowler Talanoa Hufanga left for Denver in free agency, while Malik Mustapha remains on the PUP list with a knee injury expected to sideline him until midseason.

Currently, the safety group relies heavily on Ji’Ayir Brown, Jason Pinnock, and rookie Marques Sigle. While promising, this unit lacks the veteran presence required to stabilize a defense aiming for another deep postseason run.

Jaylen Mahoney, an undrafted rookie, flashed with an interception this preseason but remains inexperienced. Richie Grant and Siran Neal contribute primarily on special teams, leaving defensive coordinator Robert Saleh searching for a trusted starter.

That search has resulted in a verbal agreement with Justin Simmons, sources confirmed. The one-year deal is valued at $4 million, including a $1 million signing bonus, as the 49ers look to fortify their secondary immediately.

“He’s the kind of veteran who changes the tone of a defense,” one NFC personnel source said. “Simmons brings elite ball skills, proven leadership, and the instincts that perfectly match Robert Saleh’s emphasis on ball production.”

A two-time Pro Bowler and four-time Second-Team All-Pro, Simmons has 30 career interceptions, including a league-leading six in 2022. He also recorded 93 tackles and 15 pass breakups in 2024, earning PFF’s highest safety grade.

For San Francisco, the move represents both necessity and ambition. If finalized, Simmons will provide instant stability, elevate young teammates, and help Robert Saleh implement a defense built on turnovers and disciplined playmaking.