P.J. Locke faced the very real possibility of “never returning to football as the player I once was,” but the Denver Broncos’ safety appears to have put the worst behind him.
Locke posted that message in a clip shared to his X handle. The clip was part of the first episode of his docuseries, “My Breakthrough,” shared on his YouTube channel. In it, Locke revealed that he underwent back surgery in January.
According to the video, Locke’s “final fusion” was among the first performed on an NFL player.
If Locke makes a successful recovery, he will be the first to do so in NFL history. It is a dubious honor, to be sure, but The Denver Post’s Luca Evans reported that it is expected.
There were “no guarantees” Locke would ever return to the field, but they remain optimistic that the procedure, performed by Dr. Chad Prusmack, will have the veteran back and “better than ever.”
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“Locke … is expected to be a full participant come the Broncos’ training camp in late July, a source familiar with the situation told The Denver Post,” Evans wrote on July 2.
“PJ is taking all the necessary steps to ensure a full recovery,” the description on the video, which was posted on July 1, said, adding that Locke “is looking to make a rare return to the football field.”
Locke, 28, started 15 games for the Broncos in 2024, his fifth season with the team.
He finished the regular season with a career-high 74 total tackles, 2 pass deflections, and 1 forced fumble.
P.J. Locke Expected Back for Broncos Training Camp
GettyP.J. Locke #6 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a win against the New York Jets.
Locke spoke glowingly about how he feels physically in general following the procedure, which fused the L4 and L5 vertebrae, which were rubbing bone-on-bone due to a “completely degenerated” disc.
Dr. Prusmack used a “cage” and screws in the procedure, and defined Locke’s condition as “spondylolisthesis.”
Prusmack said that’s “when one vertebra is too far forward” and dislocates from the one below.
“About five months out, bro, and it’s been nothing short of a blessing, bro; a miracle. I ain’t got no pain levels. Even the little bit of pain that I do, might have from certain movements, it ain’t nothing compared to what I was dealing with during the season at all, though,” Locke said.
“I feel like, man, it’s just been a – it’s been a miracle. Feel like it’s been a breakthrough that I’ve been praying for, and it came out of a blessing that I wasn’t expecting.”
Fortunately for the Broncos, Locke is returning to a reserve role, and they boast depth.
Broncos Banking on Defensive Backfield Depth
GettyFormer San Francisco 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga during Super Bowl Week.
It is good news for the Broncos that Locke will be ready for training camp, which opens on July 22 for the team’s rookies and veterans.
They are banking on the oft-injured Talanoa Hufanga to be his replacement in the starting lineup. A Pro Bowler and All-Pro in 2022, when he played in all 17 regular-season games for the San Francisco 49ers, Hufanga played in as many games in 2023 and 2024 combined.
The Broncos’ other starting safety, Brandon Jones, has also dealt with injuries in his career.
Denver still has Delarrin Turner-Yell, Devon Key, JL Skinner, Keidron Smith, and special-teams ace Sam Franklin behind them.
The Broncos may not need Locke in the traditional sense. However, they would be relying on inexperienced depth if multiple injuries strike the last line of defense. Moreover, that has so far been the prevailing trend for Hufanga, Jones, and Locke.
