Following the Denver Broncos' 23-16 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, coach Sean Payton was asked if star cornerback Pat Surtain (concussion) would have any chance of playing against the New Orleans Saints on Thursday Night Football on Oct. 17.

"He's in protocol [protocol]," Payton said. "That's -- he's in protocol."

Payton was also asked if Surtain's exit took some air out of the team on Sunday.

"I don't know that -- well, look, anytime you lose one of your top players, you'd have to ask the players [how they feel]. But I think that [it's] kind of the next man up and here we go.

"Not having had a chance to look at film to tell you how the other guys played, I know we struggled just getting off the field defensively on third down. We did not do a number of things well today. That's kind of where it is at."

Surtain would have to clear the NFL's five-step return to participation protocol in order to play against the Saints in Week 7. We will track any updates on the cornerback's status on Broncos Wire.