Marvin Mims (foot) does not practice on Thursday

Wednesday’s injury report is just an estimate from the team. We will get more info on Mims and the rest of the injured Broncos on Thursday. Mims suffered a foot injury in the preseason but was good to go for Week 1. He left Denver’s loss to the Chiefs with a foot injury but did return to the game. That would normally be a good sign, but the fact that this might be related to an injury from several weeks ago is slightly worrisome. Mims didn’t play much at wide receiver in Week 1, but the Broncos would need to find a replacement for his return duties if he can’t suit up this week.

The good news for fantasy managers is that Bryant played well ahead of both Marvin Mims and Troy Franklin, rewarding those who took a late-round dart through on the talented second-year receiver. That’s about where the good news ended on this night considering the Broncos managed only 176 yards of total offense. While better days are likely ahead for Bryant, there is likely to be mounting pressure from the outside for offensive coordinator Davis Webb to relinquish play calling duties back to head coach Sean Payton. Until, or unless, that happens, Bryant appears likely to remain an upside WR4. That begins in Week 2 when the Broncos face the Jaguars.

We assumed this would be the case, but we are happy to have it confirmed. Mims exited the Broncos’ preseason game against the Vikings on August 28th, and updates on the foot injury have been tough to find. The team named him a starter in three-wide receiver sets yesterday, which was a good sign. He is a boom-bust FLEX, per usual.

Mims gets a starting slot alongside Courtland Sutton and Jaylen Waddle for the Broncos’ season opener against Kansas City. It’s quite the stunner after Pat Bryant — listed as a second-team wideout — drew consistent praise from Denver coaches this offseason both as an intermediate and downfield pass catcher. Mims, who has been used primarily as a gadget guy, was targeted on 20 percent of his routes last season and ended the year with 322 yards over 15 games. Bryant’s usage will be something to monitor in Week 1.

The questionable designation is a formality. The teams will not throw Mims back into this game after he left with a foot issue in the first half. Mims’ role as a receiver declined last year, but he remains one of the league’s best returners. Sean Payton would need to figure out a plan for both kick and punt return duties.

Mims reportedly pulled up lame while running a deep route. He and TE Nate Adkins, who had also apparently suffered an injury around the same time, took off for the locker room with the training staff. It sounds like a soft tissue injury for Mims. He is currently jockeying for position on the wide receiver depth chart, so hopefully he can return before long.

He compares it to Bryant’s 48 percent of the snaps last year while missing a few games with a concussion, suggesting he expects Bryant to become the main third receiver for this passing game behind Jaylen Waddle and Courtland Sutton. Kosmider quotes Sean Payton as saying “We don’t have a classic third (receiver),” which makes us think each of Bryant, Troy Franklin and Marvin Mims could be used situationally. No matter who wins the lead role of the three, it’s hard to imagine much fantasy value for the Broncos WR3 role given the split.

Evans compares Mims to Seahawks WR Rashid Shaheed, who recently signed a three-year deal averaging more than $17 million per year. Shaheed is a more accomplished wide receiver, but both players are decorated special teams returners. Per Evans, one agent who works with several NFL wide receivers believes Mims could earn $11 to $13 million annually as things currently stand. Should he contribute more offensively, those numbers could go up. Earlier this week, Mims publicly acknowledged that this may be his last year in Denver. Evans writes that Broncos coach Sean Payton wants to give Mims more offensive opportunities, but the offensive staff “has not always trusted Mims to run a full route tree.” If Payton really wanted to further incorporate Mims into the offense, we can’t understand why that hasn’t already happened, though. Mims should only be viewed as a late-round dart throw in best ball right now.

“Sometimes I am a little irritated with my situation,” Mims added. “But at the end of the day, I’m blessed to be where I am.” The Jaylen Waddle trade has effectively blocked Mims from much chance of offensive snaps as he enters the final year of his rookie contract. At the same time, he’s such an explosive punt returner that the Broncos probably still see him as a roster lock. It’s not fully over for those of you hanging on in dynasty leagues, but it certainly doesn’t look promising in the short-term for Mims to put up any offensive volume.

He does concede that teams in need of wide receiver help could call between now and the NFL Draft. Between Courtland Sutton, Jaylen Waddle, Troy Franklin, Pat Bryant, and Marvin Mims, Mims is by far the least-accomplished player and would presumably (our interpretation) be the most available. The Broncos were hampered by injuries to their wideouts down the stretch, and that was what enabled Mims to get major run in the playoffs. It wouldn’t be surprising if a wideout-needy team like the Jets were in touch with the Broncos.