ENGLEWOOD — After undergoing two elbow surgeries during the offseason, Broncos defensive lineman Zach Allen took extra satisfaction in last Saturday being named first-team All-Pro. “It’s definitely an honor,’’ Allen told The Denver Gazette after practice Wednesday at Broncos Park in pre paration for Saturday’s divisional playoff game against Buffalo at Empower Field at Mile High. “A lot of people helped get me here — coaches, teammates and family — so it’s really blessed to have gone in and to have had the year I had.” Allen was second-team All-Pro for the Broncos in 2024. Then after two surgeries in the offseason, he had the best season of his seven-year career, leading the NFL with a career-high 47 quarterback pressures while having seven sacks. “I had the double elbow surgery, so the offseason was a little bit different,’’ Allen said. “But credit to (Broncos vice president of player health and performance) Beau (Lowery) and his team and (head coach) Sean (Payton) for kind of helping me rehab it and still be able to get some time with the family. They kind of really created a great plan. So I’m really fortunate to have both of them.” Allen first had surgery on his left elbow and then on his right elbow early in 2025. “I had one that Thursday (on Jan. 16) after Buffalo (a 31-7 road loss in a wild-card playoff game Jan. 12),’’ Allen said. “And then the other one was, once I healed from the other one, it was (in March).” It all worked out well for Allen. He played in all 17 games as the Broncos went 14-3 and earned the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoff race. “I’m just glad the whole offseason worked out the way it did and the season worked out,’’ Allen said. ...read more read less