The Thursday Night Football clash between the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders comes with some key absences. The Raiders vs Broncos inactives list for November 7, 2025, confirms that Denver will be without two major contributors — wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. and cornerback Patrick Surtain II — as they look to extend their AFC West lead.
Despite those setbacks, the Broncos enter the primetime matchup with a commanding 7-2 record. Head coach Sean Payton and rookie quarterback Bo Nix will aim to maintain their winning streak against a struggling Raiders team that has dropped six of its last eight games.
Key Injury Updates and Inactives for Raiders vs Broncos
According to Thursday’s official team reports, Patrick Surtain II (CB) and Marvin Mims Jr. (WR) headline Denver’s inactive list. Tight end Nate Adkins will also sit out. For Las Vegas, quarterback Aidan O’Connell will not be active, with Geno Smith starting under center.
Denver’s defense — ranked among the league’s best this season per team metrics — will miss Surtain’s lockdown coverage, but cornerback Riley Moss is expected to step up. On offense, Mims’ absence means more opportunities for rookie wideout Troy Franklin and veteran Courtland Sutton.
Below is the confirmed lineup for the Broncos:
Offense: QB Bo Nix, RB J.K. Dobbins, WR Courtland Sutton, WR Troy Franklin, TE Evan Engram, LT Garett Bolles, LG Calvin Throckmorton, C Luke Wattenberg, RG Quinn Meinerz, RT Mike McGlinchey.
Defense: LDE Zach Allen, NT D.J. Jones, RDE John Franklin-Myers, LB Alex Singleton, LB Dre Greenlaw, LB Jonathan Cooper, LB Nik Bonitto, S Talanoa Hufanga, S Brandon Jones, CB Riley Moss.
For the Raiders, Geno Smith leads the offense with top targets Tyler Lockett, Tre Tucker, and tight end Brock Bowers. Star pass rusher Maxx Crosby is active and will anchor the defense. Defensive lineman Adam Butler and safety Isaiah Pola-Mao are listed as questionable but are expected to play limited snaps.
Broncos Stay Confident Despite Missing Stars
The absence of Patrick Surtain II, last year’s Defensive Player of the Year, is a major storyline. However, Denver’s defense remains confident, ranking near the top in both points allowed and takeaways. Head coach Sean Payton told local reporters that the unit’s “depth and discipline” will help them weather Surtain’s absence.
On the offensive side, Bo Nix continues to show progress in his rookie campaign. Facing a porous Raiders secondary could allow the Broncos to open up the playbook. Running back J.K. Dobbins is expected to carry a heavier workload to balance the attack.
Raiders’ Season Slipping Away
The Raiders’ midseason trade of Jakobi Meyers to Jacksonville signaled a rebuild. Despite high hopes for Geno Smith’s reunion with Pete Carroll in Las Vegas and a leadership presence from new part-owner Tom Brady, the team sits at just two wins. The offense has struggled to find rhythm, while the defense remains inconsistent despite individual bright spots like Maxx Crosby.
Thursday’s game could serve as a chance for Las Vegas to evaluate younger players, including rookies Ashton Jeanty and Jackson Powers-Johnson. With playoff hopes fading, the focus now shifts to developing the roster for 2026.
The Broncos will try to stay dominant in the AFC West, while the Raiders fight to salvage pride on Thursday night. All eyes will be on Bo Nix and a defense missing its biggest star as Denver looks for win number eight.
FYI (keeping you in the loop)-
Q1: Who are the key inactives for the Raiders vs Broncos game?
Patrick Surtain II, Marvin Mims Jr., and Nate Adkins are inactive for Denver, while Aidan O’Connell is inactive for Las Vegas.
Q2: Why is Patrick Surtain II not playing tonight?
Surtain is out due to a lower-body injury. The team chose to rest him as a precaution heading into the second half of the season.
Q3: Who replaces Marvin Mims Jr. on the Broncos offense?
Rookie Troy Franklin is expected to see increased snaps alongside Courtland Sutton, while Evan Engram could see more targets.
Q4: Who is starting at quarterback for the Raiders?
Geno Smith is starting for the Raiders with Aidan O’Connell inactive.
Q5: What is the Broncos’ record entering this game?
Denver enters Thursday Night Football with a 7-2 record, leading the AFC West.
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