Overview
- Waddle aggravated a prior chest injury after bobbling a pitch on a late-game reverse that lost 12 yards in Denver’s Week 7 win, a play coach Sean Payton later called “awful” and apologized for.
- Multiple outlets report the team will determine Waddle’s availability based on practice participation this week and that he is expected to be listed as questionable for the Week 8 game.
- If Waddle is limited or inactive, the Broncos plan to shift targets to Courtland Sutton and Troy Franklin and increase snaps for running backs such as J.K. Dobbins, Jonah Coleman, and RJ Harvey.
- Payton has publicly accepted responsibility for the call that produced the injury, raising questions about play design and risk management in late-game situations.
- Denver traded a first-round pick for Waddle in March and he has 26 catches for 276 yards and one touchdown through seven games, so this injury adds to growing concerns about his durability and the team’s return on that investment.