Denver

Broncos

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.

Active for the first time since Week 4, a returning Bryant (ankle) ended up leading the Broncos in receiving. Jaylen Waddle was forced to depart after only one target with a concussion. Bryant’s score, his second of the season, was a 26-yarder against broken coverage. Although his snaps were somewhat rationed following his month-long layoff, Bryant avoided setbacks and continues to look like a dark horse contender for No. 1 receiver duties in Denver. He’s a solid bench option heading into the Broncos’ Week 10 bye before their Week 11 return against the Raiders.

Dobbins operated as a pure breather back for this one, getting out-touched 21-5 by Jonah Coleman and out-snapped 58-11. Dobbins did receive two touches inside the Panthers’ 20-yard line — one of which was nullified by penalty — but none inside the 10. It sure looks as if the Broncos are ready to ride rookie Coleman, making Dobbins a shaky 12-team league hold since the Broncos are now headed on bye. They return in Week 11 against the Raiders. The odds are strong Dobbins will not be in your starting lineup for that one.

Coleman also put the ball on the ground near his own goal line on a Bo Nix pitch, but the Broncos were thankfully able to recover. Also thankfully for fantasy managers, coach Sean Payton continued to look Coleman’s way late after the miscue, including the very next play. Coleman experienced really strong usage in Charlotte, playing 58-of-75 snaps per PFF’s initial count while easily setting a new career high with his 21 touches. He has also now cleared 80 yards from scrimmage in back-to-back contests. It must be noted that today’s score was not a goal-line carry — it came from nine yards out — but he did receive a first quarter carry from the Panthers’ four-yard line. Coleman’s role continues to grow, thus far without setback. Hopefully that does not change when the Broncos come off bye in Week 11 against the Raiders’ soft defense. We will be ranking Coleman as a strong RB2 for that one.

Today was only Nix’s third multi-score start of the season through the air, though it was also his second in as many weeks. It came as No. 1 wideout Jaylen Waddle left with a first half concussion. Nix’s touchdowns were a three-yard precision dart to Courtland Sutton and 26-yard busted coverage strike to a returning Pat Bryant. He also extended a few key plays with his scrambling ability, most notably avoiding a massive third down sack on the Broncos’ opening drive. It was not a perfect day, but Nix has inarguably been playing better since his dismal Thursday Night Football outing three weeks ago. Now he must wait and see on Waddle’s status coming out of the Broncos’ Week 10 bye, but Bryant’s healthy return could be a massive development. Nix will be a solid QB2 streamer vs. Vegas in two weeks.

Attempting to help out in run defense, Moss took a second quarter knee to the hit and went down in extremely concerning fashion. He was ruled out after the break. The Broncos’ thinned out pass defense has been struggling since Moss’ departure.

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.

Hufanga was questionable entering the weekend due to an ankle injury, but will officially be sidelined for this one. The 28-year-old safety hasn’t played since Week 5 but was limited in back-to-back practices to close out the week, so there’s a chance he could return after the Broncos’ Week 10 bye.

Per Fowler, he remains a game-time decision. Hufanga logged two limited practices this week before receiving a questionable designation. Before going down with the injury, Hufanga had one forced fumble and two interceptions, one of which he took to the end zone. Getting him back would be a big win for the Denver defense.

The young receiver will make his return to the active game-day roster after missing the minimum four games after injuring his ankle in Week 4. He returns to a passing attack with no clear direction or upside, with no receiver other than Courtland Sutton playing in a near every-down role of late. Perhaps he can carve out a featured role, but it is more likely this team simply doesn’t have viable weekly fantasy assets through the air.