Broncos unsure about Waddle for Week 8

Even with Pat Bryant (ankle) returning, Sutton posted new season highs for receptions and targets as Jaylen Waddle departed early with a concussion. He did get out-gained by Bryant, who also found the end zone. Sutton is a perfectly fine role player, but it is the bitter truth that he is no longer a featured option. With Waddle now having the Broncos’ bye week to get healthy, Sutton could be returning as the team’s No. 3 option. He’s a borderline WR4/5 hold in leagues with shallower benches.

Waddle was listed as questionable in the first half but then ruled out to begin the third. It’s another nightmare development for Waddle in his first Broncos season, as he has struggled for both 100 percent health and productive box scores. Today’s injury came as Waddle skied for a target over the middle of the field and got high/lowed. He had just one grab for 22 yards before departing. The only good news is the Broncos are on bye for Week 10, meaning Waddle might not miss any game time beyond this afternoon.

Waddle played through a questionable tag with this injury last week, catching 3-of-6 targets for 39 yards and one touchdown against the Chiefs. He apparently made it through the contest without re-injuring himself and can be started as a WR3 this week against the Panthers.

Sutton’s 53 yards today are now a season-high, as are his four receptions. That, however, largely speaks to how unproductive he has been this year. Sutton has more games under 20 yards than over 40. He also has just one touchdown through eight games. His signs of life versus the Chiefs will keep him in the WR5 ranks for Week 9, but the ceiling remains nonexistent.

Starting with the positive, Waddle found the end zone for the second time this year and got going over the middle of the field with a 35-yard missile from Nix early in the second quarter. It’s his longest catch since Week 2, when he erupted for 138 yards on eight receptions, including a 49-yarder. On the downside, Waddle managed a pedestrian 19 percent target share and finished third on the team in receiving. He found the end zone and still scored a grand total of 12.9 PPR points. The Broncos’ offense is still a work in progress, even if today was a step in the right direction. Waddle will get another week in the WR3 mix when the Broncos take on the Panthers.

Left tackle Garrett Boles and EDGE Zach Allen are also active. All Broncos players who were questionable for Week 8 are active. After a disappointing two months to start the year, Waddle is at the back of the WR3 ranks for Week 8. Inactive for the Broncos are S Talana Hufanga, QB Sam Ehlinger, OL Gavin Ortega, DL Jordan Jackson, DL Tyler Oneydim, OL Kage Casey, and TE Dallen Bentley.

Waddle suffered the chest injury late in the Broncos’ Week 7 win over the Cardinals and a doomed trick play. He was leveled by Josh Sweat several yards behind the line of scrimmage. The Broncos held him out of Wednesday’s practice before giving him two limited sessions and a questionable tag. Though we suspect he is on some form of a snap count, it looks like Waddle is giving it a go. Already struggling to put up WR3 fantasy numbers, we’re regarding him as a high-risk FLEX play versus Kansas City.

Waddle got in two limited sessions after missing practice on Wednesday. It feels like he’s on the optimistic side of questionable given the trend line, though of course you would have preferred to see a full session somewhere in here. It’s also possible he winds up on a snap count, so we’ll see if any insiders dig up anything on that this weekend.

Waddle aggravated an existing chest injury on a trick play late in the fourth quarter of Week 7. A return to the practice field, in any capacity, Thursday keeps the door open for him to be available to play the Chiefs in Week 8, although fantasy managers are likely looking for an excuse to bench the over-hyped receiver. It would be prudent to look at other viable options in a difficult matchup.

Earlier today, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Waddle’s status for Week 8 against the Chiefs has not been determined. The Broncos’ No. 1 wide receiver aggravated his preexisting chest injury in Week 7 against the Cardinals. Backup plans should be made at this time.