5 takeaways following Broncos' loss to 49ers in Week 4

Following the Denver Broncos' 24-14 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 4, here are five key takeaways:

1. Injury concerns plagued the Broncos throughout the game. Cornerbacks Pat Surtain and Riley Moss both left the game early due to injury, with wide receiver Pat Bryant also being carted off in the third quarter. The severity of these injuries remains unclear as of now. The team will rest on Monday and Tuesday before resuming practice on Wednesday.

2. The Broncos' run game struggled to make an impact. Starting running back J.K. Dobbins led the team with 11 carries, but wide receiver RJ Harvey played a pivotal role, catching all 10 targets from J.K. Dobbins and accumulating 68 rushing yards. Both players, however, averaged just 3.6 yards per carry, highlighting the need for improvement in the run game. Tyler Badie, another running back, was less productive with just 3.5 yards per carry on two attempts.

3. The Broncos' defensive line struggled to generate pressure on quarterback Brock Purdy. With key outside linebackers Dondrea Tillman and Jonathon Cooper unavailable, the team was left with Nik Bonitto, Jonah Elliss, and Que Robinson to fill the role. None of these defenders were able to consistently pressure Purdy, who managed to escape being sacked throughout the game. The Broncos' pass rush will need to improve to challenge the 49ers' offense moving forward.

4. A controversial fumble by wide receiver Marvin Mims proved costly for the Broncos. During a punt return, Mims appeared to fumble, but the ball was recovered by the 49ers. Despite CBS rules analyst Gene Steratore confirming the fumble call, the play led to a 49ers touchdown and shifted momentum in the Niners' favor. This play emphasizes the need for better ball security from the Broncos' wide receivers.

5. Quarterback Bo Nix's ankle remains a concern for the Broncos. While Nix claimed his ankle is completely healed and he feels healthy, he did acknowledge occasional swelling and stiffness after activity. The team did not report Nix's injury status during the game, but his post-game comments indicate that the issue may still be lingering. This ankle concern will be closely monitored as the Broncos continue their season. The Broncos' next challenge is set to face the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 5 at SoFi Stadium.