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    Jaylen Waddle back practicing on Monday

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    DEN Wide Receiver #17
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    Jaylen Waddle returned to practice on Monday.

    Waddle missed an extended amount of time due to what was being classified as a muscle strain by head coach Sean Payton. The veteran receiver officially returned to the practice field on Monday, with Payton saying after practice that Waddle was “coming along really well.” We’ll see how things go for Waddle in the coming days, but hopefully this issue is behind him. Waddle is expected to play a big role in the Broncos’ passing game this season and profiles as a solid WR2.
Hall worth drafting at discount ADP after injury
Denny Carter believes fantasy managers should still "buy the dip" on Jets RB Breece Hall following his groin injury, a setback that makes him a draft value at his current ADP.

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  • DEN Wide Receiver #17
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    Waddle has been working through a muscle strain, per head coach Sean Payton, since last week. It was reported on Thursday that he would return within 4-5 days, so we’re nearing the point where we would expect to see him on the field. He was seen working off to the side during Saturday’s practice, so hopefully another day or two of rest will be enough for him to return. Waddle is expected to be the top pass-catcher for the Broncos this season and was having a nice camp before going down.
  • DEN Wide Receiver #17
    That’s exactly the news fantasy managers were hoping to see after Waddle experienced “some muscle tightness” earlier in the week, prompting his time away from practice. The veteran free agent addition worked to the side Saturday and also shed the leg sleeve he had been seen to be wearing the previous two days, running with no changes in gait. Fantasy managers can breathe a sigh of relief as Waddle enters the year as the top option through the air for a dangerous Broncos team.
  • DEN Wide Receiver #17
    Parsing injury language is always tricky, but when Payton said Waddle was experiencing muscle tightness, a strain made sense. The tissue was reacting to something. Waddle did not practice on Thursday and was seen limping while wearing a sleeve on his left leg. The fact that the team thinks he can return in just under a week from yesterday’s injury is good to hear. Week 1 is still a month away, so we like his odds of suiting up. The injury might end up costing him preseason game reps, though. We expect the team to be cautious with their star wide receiver.
  • DEN Wide Receiver #17
    We had hoped to see Waddle get in a limited session today, after coach Sean Payton downplayed Waddle’s injury on Wednesday. Evidently, he needed at least one day off. The Broncos practiced in pads for three days straight before going padless today. If Waddle has to miss a session, we suppose a padless walkthrough day is the ideal one to miss. Hopefully, we see him back in action in some capacity before long.
  • DEN Wide Receiver #17
    Waddle left practice early and did not return. Given his lengthy injury history, the news gave fantasy managers a few hours of anxiety before Payton downplayed the issue. Waddle may get a few days of limited practice, but fantasy managers can keep drafting him as a high-ceiling WR2.
  • DEN Quarterback #10
    Broncos OC Davis Webb will add elements to Denver’s offense this season. Last year, the Broncos attempted the sixth-fewest (51) passes thrown 10-plus yards downfield and between the painted numbers. For reference, the league-leading Lions attempted 102 passes in this area of the field. Evans did not provide an average target depth in today’s report, but we are pleased to hear Webb is focusing on the middle of the field, regardless. Passes thrown in this area give the pass catcher more room to work, both before and after the catch, which helps them score fantasy points. Even a moderate increase in targets thrown to this area of the field would be great for QB Bo Nix and his pass catchers, like WR Jaylen Waddle and WR Courtland Sutton.
  • DEN Wide Receiver #17
    Astute readers might notice that Evans did not put the Broncos’ longtime WR1, Courtland Sutton, on that list. The cost to acquire Waddle from the Dolphins was not cheap, so anointing Waddle as the WR1 makes sense. The former Dolphin spent his career in Miami playing sidekick to WR Tyreek Hill, so it was fair to wonder if he might be slated for a WR2 role in Denver as well. If anything, this could be a 1A/1B situation, with Waddle operating as the 1A. Regardless, Sutton appears unbothered by Waddle’s presence, saying the Broncos’ offense is comprised of “guys that are willing to put their pride aside,” and celebrated the importance of selflessness. Waddle profiles as a WR2 while Sutton is perhaps best viewed in the WR3/FLEX tier.
  • DEN Quarterback #10
    This reinforces previous reports that Nix would be ready to take the practice field for the start of organized team activities, which are set to begin 2 June for the Broncos. That places the young quarterback well ahead of schedule following a broken ankle suffered in the team’s Divisional Round win last season. Nix being able to get additional practice reps before games matter is a big boost to the fantasy value of newcomer wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, who arrived with the team via trade with the Dolphins earlier in the offseason. Head coach Sean Payton added, “We’re going to be the ones kind of holding back, if you will.”
  • DEN Wide Receiver #17
    Payton added the Broncos will have “speed packages” for Waddle in the 2026 playbook. Acquired via trade this month, Waddle was used primarily as a slot wideout in his first couple seasons with the Dolphins before splitting snaps between the slot and boundary in 2024 and 2025 under Mike McDaniel. Waddle’s efficiency from the slot fell off in 2025 along with Miami’s offensive production. Bo Nix, meanwhile, ranked 27th out of 40 qualifying QBs last season in adjusted yards per attempt on throws to slot receivers. Nix ranked 29th in accuracy on slot attempts.
  • DEN Wide Receiver #19
    Mims made a guest appearance on Altitude TV, a regional sports network, and was asked for his thoughts on the Broncos’ recent trade for Waddle. Mims celebrated Waddle’s explosive play-making ability, but admitted that he was “really surprised” to learn of the deal. Although Waddle is far more accomplished, the two players share similar, shifty playing styles and excel after the catch. Mims closed the segment by saying that he has taken pride in being able to “play running back, be a returner, be a receiver” and is happy to affect the game however possible. Mims, 24, has flashed intriguing traits throughout his three-year career, though he has not yet broken out as a reliable starter. With Waddle in town, Mims will likely remain stuck in a versatile, albeit fantasy-unfriendly, backup role.

Rotoworld

  • WAS Defensive Tackle
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    The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala reports that Commanders DT Johnny Newton is expected to miss significant time after undergoing surgery for a torn pectoral muscle.

    Just a few hours ago, ESPN’s John Keim reported that Newton was visiting a specialist today. Apparently, the decision to undergo surgery was made fairly quickly. This is a tough loss for the Commanders’ defensive front. Newton ranked fourth on the team in quarterback pressures (27) and third in sacks (six) last year. Commanders edge rushers, OLB Odafe Oweh (calf) and OLB K’Lavon Chaisson (knee), are also nursing injuries at the moment.
  • IND Tight End #84
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    Colts coach Shane Steichen confirmed TE Tyler Warren suffered a groin injury on Wednesday.

    Steichen adds that the team will be cautious with Warren’s recovery, but chose not to share details regarding the injury’s severity beyond that. If healthy, the second-year tight end is a candidate to lead the team in targets this season after racking up 106 as a rookie. The Colts’ pass-catching corps is in a tough spot, with WR Alec Pierce (ankle) still sidelined. If Warren cannot play in Week 1, WR Josh Downs would presumably handle a sizable target share, operating as the team’s clear-cut No. 1 target earner. Stay tuned.
  • NO Wide Receiver #18
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    New Orleans Football’s Mike Triplett believes the Saints might not need to sign a short-term replacement for WR Jordyn Tyson (hamstring).

    Triplett was apparently surprised to see reporters wondering whether the Saints should bring a veteran receiver aboard. According to him, the Saints had nine legitimate wide receiver candidates to make the final roster, with rookie WRs Bryce Lance and Barion Brown leading the charge. Per Triplett, Lance “is coming on faster than anyone else,” though Brown notably surged early in camp. Lance does not play on special teams, which could make him an ideal No. 3 wide receiver. Triplett also believes the Saints should design a package of plays for the speedy Brown, who WR Chris Olave said is “basically the same player” as former Saints WR Rashid Shaheed. For deep league fantasy managers, Lance could be worth a late-round dart throw. Both players should be rostered in dynasty.
  • LA Wide Receiver #12
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    The Athletic’s Nate Atkins believes it is still unclear whether the Rams will sign WR Puka Nacua to an extension.

    Nacua is entering the final year of his contract. Atkins writes that it is only a matter of time before “Nacua lands a monstrous extension,” but whether it comes from the Rams or another team, presumably via free agency or a trade, remains a question. Both the team and player reportedly “hope” that Nacua remains a Ram long term, and the team is “encouraged by some of the steps he’s taken this offseason.” The superstar wide receiver still has a civil suit that must be dealt with and the league has not yet clarified whether it intends to suspend him. For now, Nacua is a member of the Rams’ explosive offense and can be treated as a locked-in WR1, albeit with some suspension risk.
  • TB Nose Tackle #50
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    Buccaneers signed DT Vita Vea to a one-year, $30 million extension through 2027.

    Vea also gets a $6 million pay bump for the 2026 NFL season. He was previously set to make $18 million this year, bringing his new salary up to $24 million. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported last week that Vea was seeking an extension, placing him in the top defensive tackle tier, which currently sits around $38 million annually. It looks like the two sides compromised to get a deal done. Vea ranked in the top three on the team in quarterback pressures (51) and sacks (four) last year. Garafolo clarified in a follow-up segment that the $30 million extension includes this season’s pay increase. Vea will play for $24 million in 2027.
  • WAS Defensive Tackle
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    ESPN’s John Keim reports that Commanders DT Johnny Newton is visiting a specialist regarding his recent pectoral injury.

    When asked for comment, Commanders coach Dan Quinn said, “anytime you’re seeing a specialist, of course, there is reason for concern.” Both starting edge rushers, OLB Odafe Oweh (calf) and OLB K’Lavon Chaisson (knee), and backup LB Jordan Magee (shoulder) are also sidelined by recent injuries. The Commanders’ defensive front is tasked with corralling the Eagles’ rushing attack in three and a half weeks.
  • WAS Running Back #1
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    Commanders RB Rachaad White (undisclosed) did not practice on Wednesday.

    ESPN’s John Keim expects to hear an update on White tomorrow morning. Backup RB Jeremy McNichols is dealing with a quad injury and RB Jerome Ford (hamstring) was recently placed on injured reserve. As things currently stand, starting RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt, rookie RBs Kaytron Allen and Robert Henry, and veteran RB Craig Reynolds are the four healthy players. Croskey-Merritt’s reported passing game improvements have come at the right time. Allen played well on a sizable preseason Week 1 workload. He might be in line for RB2 duties if White were to miss time.
  • DET Tight End #87
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    Lions TE Sam LaPorta (undisclosed) did not practice on Wednesday.

    Just last week, we received word that LaPorta has been having a “terrific” training camp. He suffered a season-ending back injury last year, which ultimately required surgery. While the surprise absence is somewhat concerning, this could simply be LaPorta taking a veteran rest day in the middle of the week. This is worth tracking, but not worth worrying about at this time.
  • DET Wide Receiver #1
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    Lions WR Jameson Williams (shoulder) resumed practicing on Wednesday.

    Williams missed the Lions’ last two practices with what coach Dan Campbell described as a minor shoulder injury. Today’s practice was padless. We should learn more about Williams’ status when the pads go back on. Regardless, Williams seemingly remains a safe WR2/3 candidate right now.
  • FA Wide Receiver #27
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    Free agent WR A.T. Perry worked out for the Dolphins on Wednesday.

    Perry has not played on offense since his 2023 rookie season with the Saints. The Dolphins also worked out QB Kyron Drones, QB Chandler Rogers, LB Stephen Dix, LB Antonio Grier and WR Brenden Rice.