Pat

Bryant

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.

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.

Bryant is expected to be activated from injured reserve by Saturday, but the team has officially listed him as questionable. He makes for a boom-bust FLEX in his first game back. The Broncos’ passing offense has struggled this season. Perhaps Bryant’s return lifts it up.

Bryant’s 21-day practice window has been opened, and it begins with a full session, putting him on track to play in Week 9 against the Panthers. The Broncos’ passing game has severely underperformed expectations. Bryant does not necessarily need to be added in 12-team formats, though he could ultimately compete for No. 2 wide receiver duties.

Bryant has missed the Broncos’ last four games after being placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury. The 23-year-old receiver is eligible to return whenever the Broncos deem him ready to do so, and his practicing this week would mean the team has opened his 21-day return window. Bryant has caught nine passes for 133 yards and one touchdown and was third among Broncos receivers in routes run (91) through the first four weeks of the season. He could make for an interesting stash in deeper leagues, but fantasy managers shouldn’t rush to put him in their lineups whenever he does return.

Bryant will be eligible to return from injured reserve in Week 9, when the Broncos face the Panthers. The Broncos go on bye in Week 10, though, so if he isn’t feeling ready to play, they could hold him out until they face the division-rival Raiders in Week 11. Bryant’s absence could create more opportunities for Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims, but Jaylen Waddle may end up hogging targets instead.

Bryant was carted from the field in the second half of Sunday’s game after taking a big hit over the middle. The 23-year-old receiver currently ranks third among Broncos receivers with 91 routes run and has played 55 percent of his snaps out wide. Troy Franklin or Marvin Mims could be in line to see more snaps while Bryant is sidelined, but it’s hard to imagine either player becoming valuable fantasy assets at this time.

He’s questionable to return. Bryant took a big hit over the middle on a second half reception against the Niners and was down on the turf for some time before being helped onto the cart. Looking dejected, Bryant was taken to the locker room. The oft-injured Bryant could be facing yet another extended absence. That would likely boost playing time and targets for Courtland Sutton and possibly Marvin Mims.

Bryant also added a successful two-point reception in the third quarter to give him a usable fantasy week for the first time in 2026. He continues to play well behind Courtland Sutton and Jaylen Waddle in an offense that has yet to find its footing with a new offensive play caller. He’ll be a difficult start in Week 4 against the 49ers.

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.