ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Riley Moss needed time to catch up.
After suffering a core muscle injury and undergoing a procedure early in training camp, Moss did not return to the practice field until late August. Though he was a full practice participant by the start of the regular season, he was inactive for three of the Broncos’ first seven games and did not play a defensive snap until Week 11.
As he looked back on his rookie season on Monday, Moss acknowledged the challenge he faced as he tried to make up for lost practice time.
“I think a big thing this year that kind of inhibited me was that injury early on,” Moss said. “I missed camp, and your rookie year camp is very important. When I got back, it was kind of learn how to be an NFL player, learn the defense and they’re game-planning at the same time, so it was tough to grow as a player, but I came in every day, I was a sponge and [I] tried to pick up as much stuff as possible.
“I’m just looking forward to having a full [off]season, hopefully get a full camp, stay healthy and learn what I need to learn.”
Moss, whom the Broncos traded up to select in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, said it took him until “halfway through the season” to feel like he caught up. That self-described timeline aligns with when he first started to receive defensive snaps.
“It’s fast-moving,” Moss said. “It’s crazy. But I made sure every day to come in and grow as a player in some way, shape or form.”
Though Moss ultimately played limited defensive snaps — 23 across eight games and a season-high five vs. the Raiders — he did become a key special teams contributor for the Broncos.
Entering the 2024 offseason, Moss said he has loftier goals for his second season.
“My goal still is to start at corner,” Moss said. “I’m going to get it done someway, somehow. But I am going to get it done.”
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