Jaylen Waddle Returns to Practice as Limited Participant, Status for Broncos vs. Chiefs Still Unclear

Denver Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle is back on the practice field, at least partly. Waddle, who is dealing with a chest injury, was listed as a limited participant in Thursday’s practice after sitting out on Wednesday, the team said. That keeps the door open for him to play in Sunday’s Week 8 home game against the Kansas City Chiefs, but his status is not settled yet.

What is Jaylen Waddle’s injury?

Waddle is managing a chest injury. According to Sports Illustrated’s Broncos site, an earlier report indicated he re-aggravated a prior chest issue toward the end of last week’s win over the Arizona Cardinals. NBC Sports reported that he aggravated the existing injury on a trick play late in the fourth quarter of Week 7.

That trick play drew an unusual public apology from Broncos head coach Sean Payton after the game.

“Why didn’t anybody ask me about the dumb reverse call? … It was awful. I’m sorry,” Payton said in his postgame press conference, as quoted by Sports Illustrated. He recalled a similar reverse from 2008 that ended in a fumble and a loss to Tampa Bay, adding, “I know better. Every once in a while you fall in love with a play.”

The team has not given a detailed description of how serious the injury is, and the reporting does not say how long it could affect him.

Did Waddle practice this week?

Here is how his week has gone so far, based on the team’s official reports:

• Wednesday: Did not practice (chest).
• Thursday: Limited participant (chest).

The Broncos’ official site reported that Waddle and defensive lineman Zach Allen (hamstring) both returned as limited participants on Thursday after missing Wednesday’s session. Denver will release game statuses on Friday.

NBC Sports noted that returning to practice in any capacity keeps him in play for the Chiefs game, though it suggested fantasy managers consider other options in a tough matchup.

Is Waddle playing vs. the Chiefs?

That is not known yet. Friday’s injury report, with official game designations, should give the clearest signal. Until then, the safest reading is that a limited practice is a positive step, not a guarantee.

If Waddle can’t go, Sports Illustrated reported that Denver would lean on Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr. and Troy Franklin as its primary wideouts, with Pat Bryant (ankle) still on short-term injured reserve. Some extra receiving work could also flow to running back RJ Harvey, the outlet said, though Harvey himself was added to Thursday’s report as limited with a knee issue.

Payton has repeatedly spoken about getting Mims more involved. “Whenever we ask something of him — whether it’s intermediate, down the field — he’s been really effective,” Payton said Wednesday, per Sports Illustrated. Mims improved to a full participant on Thursday, according to the team.

What else is on the Broncos injury report?

Thursday’s report from the team also showed:

• Safety Talanoa Hufanga (ankle): Did not practice for the second straight day. He last played in Week 5 against the Chargers.
• Tackle Garett Bolles (hip): Limited for the second straight day.
• Safety Brandon Jones (hamstring) and RB RJ Harvey (knee): Added as limited.
• CB Pat Surtain II (ankle), DT Malcolm Roach (neck), ILB Karene Reid (elbow): Full participants for a second straight day.

Surtain appears poised to return from a three-game absence, Sports Illustrated reported.

On the Kansas City side, Sports Illustrated reported that cornerback L’Jarius Sneed did not practice Wednesday and receiver Rashee Rice was limited, while Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce were full participants.

Why does this game matter?

Sports Illustrated described Sunday’s meeting with the Chiefs as a pivotal home showdown. “We’re just trying to find a way to get this one,” Payton said, according to the team’s site.

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