Denver Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga facing time out

Injury blow for Denver defense

Denver Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga is expected to miss multiple weeks with an ankle injury. Hufanga suffered the injury during Sunday's win over the Los Angeles Chargers.

He did not practice in the shortened week leading up to the game against the Seattle Seahawks. One source estimated that Hufanga could miss two to three weeks depending on his recovery. That could push his absence through the team's Week 10 bye.

Big plays and momentum swings

Hufanga has made a significant impact on the Denver defense over the past three weeks. In the win over the Los Angeles Rams, he became just the fifth safety in NFL history to have two interceptions, an interception return for a touchdown and a sack in the same game.

Against the Chargers, he forced a fumble on tight end Charlie Kolar and recovered the ball in the first quarter. That play led to the team's first touchdown four plays later.

Turnovers are purposeful, Broncos coach Sean Payton said on Tuesday. It happened with Hufanga early in the game, and those are huge swings of momentum.

Lineup changes against Seattle

Hufanga was injured in the third quarter when he tackled Chargers running back Omarion Hampton for a 2-yard loss alongside defensive tackle D.J. Jones. He is fourth on the team in tackles with 23.

Devon Key is expected to start against the Seahawks. Cornerback Pat Surtain II also has an ankle injury, which limits the team's ability to play their dime package.