Lil'Jordan

Humphrey

Reynolds did not practice with an apparent hand issue to start Week 6. He has 12 catches for 163 yards and a touchdown this season, with much of his production coming in Weeks 1 and 2. Reynolds has little fantasy relevance, but if he misses Week 6, more opportunities could open up for Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Troy Franklin, and Devaughn Vele.

Almost all of his production came on the final two drives with the Steelers playing essentially prevent defense. Humphrey was used over the middle of the field in intermediate routes kind of like a tight end would, which led to some chunk yardage at the end of the game. It’s not a role that seemed poised for weekly value.

Humphrey has experience in head coach Sean Payton’s system while Burton likely gets the elevation to serve as the starting fullback in Sean Payton’s offense. Neither is worthy of fantasy consideration for opening weekend.

Humphrey, a longtime favorite of Broncos head coach Sean Payton, will come back to Denver after a 2023 season in which three of his 13 receptions went for touchdowns. He started eight games for Denver last year and probably won’t get much playing time unless the team once again struggles with receiver injuries in 2024.

A Sean Payton disciple from their time together in New Orleans, Humphrey signed with the Broncos in the spring but was released after training camp. He was re-signed, cut, and added to the practice squad multiple times throughout the year. Humphrey was Denver’s go-to man for creating an extra roster spot, but he hung around long enough to nab three touchdowns on 13 catches. An impending free agent, Humphrey will likely look to re-up with the Broncos in the spring.

Humphrey’s touchdown came on a seemingly innocuous out route eight yards downfield as the veteran journeyman broke multiple tackles on his way to a 54-yard score. The trip to the paint would be the only one of the game as the Broncos prevailed in a kicker’s battle.

Defensive tackle Keondre Coburn was claimed off waivers from the Chiefs in a corresponding move. This is the second time Humphrey has been released by the Broncos in just over a week. He was immediately signed to the practice squad and then elevated to the game-day roster after being cut last week. It wouldn’t be surprising for him to have a similar journey this time around.

Humphrey, who played in New Orleans with Sean Payton, was brought in as a depth option for the Broncos during the offseason. He was cut at the end of camp but stuck around on the team’s practice squad before being called up to the active roster. The move to release him could be a sign that Marvin Mims will get more work as the team’s third receiver.

Humphrey was one of the final cuts at the end of the preseason, but the Broncos signed him to the practice squad and then elevated him for Week 1. Despite not even being on the 53-man roster, Humphrey played the second-most snaps of any Denver receiver in Week 1. His presence on the 53-man roster could slow down the Marvin Mims hype train, especially considering Humphrey’s role in Week 1. The team had a spot on the active roster after placing S Caden Sterns on the IR.

That leaves just four wide receivers on the active roster heading into the 2023 season, especially notable considering the injury to Jerry Jeudy. That would seem to hint that his injury is not expected to linger far into the regular season, likely providing a nice opportunity to buy into his services at a dip in fantasy drafts. Also released or waived were T Quinn Bailey, C Kyle Fuller, DT Tyler Lancaster, K Brett Maher, CB Fabian Moreau, DT Mike Purcell, RB Dwayne Washington, OLB Chris Allen, LB Austin Ajiake, RB Tyler Badie, WR Michael Bandy, LB Seth Benson, G Henry Byrd, WR Marquez Callaway, QB Ben DiNucci, CB Art Green, WR Taylor Grimes, WR Josh Hammond, OLB Marcus Haynes, CB Faion Hicks, TE Tommy Hudson, DE Jordan Jackson, T Demontrey Jacobs, RB Tony Jones Jr, CB Devon Key, DT Tomasi Laulile, DT P.J. Mustipher, DT Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi, OLB Aaron Patrick, G Will Sherman and WR Montrell Washington.