Pat Bryant an Immediate Fantasy Weapon with Teammate Injured?
Denver Broncos wide receiver Pat Bryant handled substantial volume in Week 9, and he should continue to occupy a prominent role in Week 11 (after the team's bye week) if Jaylen Waddle (concussion) ends up missing time. Bryant finished last week with four catches, 56 yards, and one touchdown on a 68% snap share, operating as the team's No. 2 receiver behind Courtland Sutton. Bryant's return from injured reserve came at a perfect time, as he immediately contributed on offense following his activation Saturday. The Broncos' passing game showed some signs of struggle early in the season, but they have been operating at a much higher level lately. As mentioned, the Broncos are on a bye in Week 10, leaving extra time for Waddle to recover and clear concussion protocol. However, if Waddle is still sidelined when Denver returns to action in Week 11, Bryant should have legitimate WR3 value. He's still an intriguing waiver wire target and stash even if Waddle does play in Week 11.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jaylen Waddle is Quiet, Exits Early With Concussion
Denver Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (concussion) gave fantasy managers a dud during Sunday's Week 9 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. Waddle took a hard hit while attempting to make a catch downfield. He was taken to the sideline and later ruled out due to a concussion. He hauled in his lone target for 22 yards in the win. His absence meant bigger roles for Courtland Sutton and Pat Bryant during this game. The Broncos are heading into a bye, so they won't play in Week 10. He'll get additional time to clear concussion protocol ahead of the Week 11 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. The expectation is that Waddle will be ready for that one, but fantasy managers should check back later for another update.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Courtland Sutton Takes Advantage of Teammate's Injury in Week 9 Win
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton had season highs in catches (five) and targets (nine) while recording 45 receiving yards and his second touchdown of the season in the team's 26-21 win on the road over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday in Week 9. The production was nothing special, but the 31-year-old veteran's elevated line in comparison to the rest of his season came with fellow receiver Jaylen Waddle being ruled out after suffering a head injury early in the game. Sutton's second touchdown of the season got Denver on the board on a three-yard hookup with quarterback Bo Nix in the first quarter. He only averaged 9.0 yards per catch, though, and Sutton could go back to being a hard-to-trust WR4/flex option in deeper fantasy leagues when the team returns from their Week 10 bye to face the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders if Waddle is cleared from his concussion by then. Sutton only has 25 catches for 266 yards and two touchdowns on 46 targets through nine games in 2026, but he does have at least 45 yards receiving in his last three games after having only one such game in the first six weeks.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Pat Bryant Makes Some Noise During Return
Denver Broncos wide receiver Pat Bryant made his return to the field during Sunday's Week 9 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. Bryant returned on Sunday after being sidelined since suffering a sprained right ankle in Week 4. It was unclear what kind of role he was going to have during his first game back, but Bryant was able to post a strong performance on Sunday. He hauled in four of his five targets for 56 yards and a touchdown in the win. His increased involvement was likely due to the fact that Jaylen Waddle (concussion) was knocked out of this game early on. The Broncos are heading into a bye in Week 10, but Bryant could be someone worth stashing in deep leagues ahead of the Week 11 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jaylen Waddle Ruled Out Against Panthers
Denver Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (concussion) has been ruled out for the rest of Sunday's Week 9 game against the Carolina Panthers, according to Mike Garafolo. Waddle took a hit from Panthers safety Zakee Wheatley late in the first quarter and went to the medical tent before heading to the locker room for a concussion evaluation. He finished with one catch for 22 yards. Courtland Sutton caught a three-yard touchdown in the first quarter, and Denver also had Troy Franklin, Marvin Mims Jr., and Pat Bryant available at receiver.
Source: Mike Garafolo
Source: Mike Garafolo
Jaylen Waddle Questionable to Return Against Panthers
Denver Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (head) is reportedly questionable to return against the Carolina Panthers in Week 9 after heading to the locker room. Zac Stevens reported that Waddle was being evaluated for a concussion in the medical tent after taking a hit. Waddle caught a 23-yard pass from Bo Nix in the first quarter. Nix also targeted Courtland Sutton and Pat Bryant on Denver's opening drive, looking for Bryant near the goal line in the receiver's first game back from an ankle injury.
Source: Zac Stevens
Source: Zac Stevens
Pat Bryant Active Against Panthers in Return From Ankle Injury
Denver Broncos wide receiver Pat Bryant (ankle) is active for Sunday's Week 9 game against the Carolina Panthers, according to Zac Stevens. Bryant practiced in full Wednesday through Friday, and Denver listed him as questionable on its final injury report. The Broncos activated him from injured reserve Saturday. Bryant caught nine passes for 133 yards and a touchdown in four games before injuring his ankle against San Francisco in Week 4. Troy Franklin started against Kansas City last week and drew two targets on 44 offensive snaps. Lil'Jordan Humphrey, whom Denver promoted from the practice squad when Bryant went on injured reserve, is inactive against Carolina.
Source: Zac Stevens
Source: Zac Stevens
Pat Bryant Activated From Injured Reserve, Will Play in Week 9
Denver Broncos wide receiver Pat Bryant (ankle) has been activated from injured reserve. He remains listed as questionable for Sunday's Week 9 contest against the Carolina Panthers, but Zac Stevens of DNVR Sports reports that Bryant will play this weekend. The 23-year-old played in the first four games this season and has been sidelined since Week 5. He had nine catches for 133 yards and one touchdown across the four games in which he played. The second-year receiver may have a tough time finding a path to meaningful production upon his return. At best, he'll be the No. 3 receiver behind Jaylen Waddle and Courtland Sutton, who have been underwhelming in their own regard this year. However, Bryant could also end up operating behind Troy Franklin, at least for a short amount of time. Bryant isn't worth rostering in fantasy leagues with 14 or fewer teams.
Source: Zac Stevens
Source: Zac Stevens
Courtland Sutton Is a Deep-League Flex Against Carolina
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton has climbed from 19 receiving yards in Week 6 to 45 at Arizona and a season-high 53 against Kansas City. He caught all four of his targets against the Chiefs and led Denver's wide receivers with 50 offensive snaps. Jaylen Waddle drew 6 targets on 28 snaps, though, so Sutton's edge in playing time hasn't meant an edge in opportunities. Sutton was limited Wednesday for rest, practiced fully Thursday and Friday and carries no game designation for Sunday's trip to Carolina. The Panthers allowed seven catches for 79 yards and a touchdown to Green Bay's Matthew Golden last week and will be without cornerback Will Lee III (hamstring), who did not practice Friday. That gives Sutton a chance to build on his recent yardage gains. He has 20 catches for 221 yards and one touchdown in eight games, and RotoBaller ranks him WR49 in its weekend PPR rankings. That profile fits a flex in deeper leagues, where his regular playing time and the matchup carry more weight.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jaylen Waddle Carries WR2 Appeal at Carolina
Denver Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle practiced fully all week and carries no game designation for Sunday's visit to Carolina. He was questionable against Kansas City last week and played 28 of Denver's 62 offensive snaps, yet still led the team with six targets. A 35-yard catch and a one-yard touchdown highlighted his three-catch, 39-yard day. Waddle has finished below 50 receiving yards in four straight games, making the possibility of more playing time particularly important this week. He still leads Denver with 29 catches and 315 receiving yards. Carolina gave up a 53-yard completion to Christian Watson in Week 8, and the Packers wideout finished with 113 yards on eight receptions. Panthers cornerback Will Lee III (hamstring) went down on the long completion, missed Friday's practice, and has been ruled out. Waddle's full practice week and the matchup support using him as a WR2 in 12-team PPR leagues, where RotoBaller ranks him WR22. He's the stronger Denver receiver to start if managers are choosing between him and Courtland Sutton.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Pat Bryant Expected to Return Against Panthers in Week 9
Denver Broncos wide receiver Pat Bryant (ankle) is expected to play Sunday's Week 9 matchup against the Carolina Panthers after practicing in full Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, according to Zac Stevens. Although Bryant remains officially questionable, head coach Sean Payton indicated Friday that the second-year receiver has practiced well enough to be activated from injured reserve. Bryant has missed four consecutive games since suffering his ankle injury against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 4. He caught nine of 12 targets for 133 yards and a touchdown across his first four appearances, playing 70% of Denver's offensive snaps in Week 3. His return could affect Troy Franklin's workload after Franklin played 44 offensive snaps in Week 8. With Jaylen Waddle and Courtland Sutton handling the primary receiving duties, Bryant remains a deeper-league stash rather than a dependable Week 9 fantasy starter.
Source: Zac Stevens
Source: Zac Stevens
Jaylen Waddle a Full Participant in Practice with Broncos on Wednesday
Denver Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (chest) was a full participant in practice on Wednesday, according to Zac Stevens of DNVR Sports. Denver's official injury report for Wednesday confirms his status. Quarterback Bo Nix noted on Wednesday that Waddle is getting "more and more comfortable" in Denver's offense and that he is playing with "confidence." Waddle has played in all eight of Denver's games in 2026 thus far and has recorded 29 receptions for 315 yards and two touchdowns.
Source: Zac Stevens - DNVR Broncos
Source: Zac Stevens - DNVR Broncos
Pat Bryant Practices Fully After IR Return Designation
Denver Broncos wide receiver Pat Bryant (ankle) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice after being designated to return from injured reserve. Bryant suffered the injury against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 4 and has missed Denver's last four games. The second-year receiver caught nine passes for 133 yards and a touchdown before going on IR, having played 70% of the team's offensive snaps in Week 3. His full participation is encouraging ahead of Sunday's Week 9 matchup against the Carolina Panthers, although Denver must activate him to the 53-man roster before he can play. Troy Franklin has taken on a larger role during Bryant's absence, playing 44 offensive snaps in Week 8. Bryant's potential return could affect Franklin's workload, but the rotation behind Courtland Sutton and Jaylen Waddle remains uncertain. That competition makes Bryant a deeper-league fantasy stash rather than an immediate starting option.
Source: Zac Stevens
Source: Zac Stevens
Pat Bryant Trending Toward Practicing This Week
Indications point to Denver Broncos wide receiver Pat Bryant (ankle) returning to practice this week after missing the required four games while on Injured Reserve, according to Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette. Bryant has been sidelined since suffering an ankle injury on Oct. 4 in the loss on the road to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 4, but if he returns to practice this week and looks good, he could be officially activated and return this Sunday to face the Carolina Panthers. Before getting hurt, the 23-year-old former third-rounder from Illinois caught nine of his 12 targets for 133 yards (14.8 yards per reception) and one touchdown in the first four games of his sophomore season in the NFL. Considering Jaylen Waddle's and Courtland Sutton's struggles in the passing game so far in 2026, Bryant is absolutely worth a flier off the waiver wire for fantasy managers seeking additional depth and upside at the position going into Week 9. Bryant is widely available and is only rostered in 3% of Yahoo leagues with a strong upcoming matchup against Carolina's defense.
Source: Denver Gazette - Chris Tomasson
Source: Denver Gazette - Chris Tomasson
Courtland Sutton Worth Deep-League Usage in Week 9
Denver wide receiver Courtland Sutton is worth deep-league fantasy utilization in Week 9 against Carolina. He has just 221 receiving yards and a touchdown across 20 receptions and 37 targets in eight games played this season, but has fared better the past two weeks. Sutton had 45 yards on three receptions and five targets in Week 7, before tallying 53 yards on four receptions and targets in Week 8. A slightly below-average matchup against Carolina in Week 9 keeps Sutton as a better deep-league option, but he's one to keep in mind for possible standard league usage down the road if his recent production keeps up.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
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