The Broncos got a scare on Wednesday when Jaylen Waddle left practice early and did not return during the team’s longest padded session yet.
Sean Payton was asked about it afterward and said Waddle is dealing with “muscle tightness.”
“We’ll evaluate him. I think he’s fine.” pic.twitter.com/xBIRranS1m
- Luca Evans (@bylucaevans) August 5, 2026
That’s the only official update for now, but it does at least point in a relatively reassuring direction. Payton said he expects Waddle to be fine, though the Broncos are still set to evaluate him after he exited the field.
The timing matters because Waddle is the kind of addition that changes the entire look of this passing game. Denver made a major trade for him earlier in the offseason, and his presence is supposed to give Bo Nix the go-to target he hasn’t really had at this point in his career. Waddle arrives with three 1,000-yard seasons over his five years with the team, and that production is exactly why the Broncos made the move.
For now, though, the injury is the story. Waddle left Wednesday’s padded practice and never came back, which is enough to keep everyone watching closely over the next few days. That said, this time of year teams tend to be careful, so a player sitting out the rest of practice doesn’t automatically mean something major.
If Waddle is back quickly, Denver’s receiver group starts to look a lot different. He would slot into the unofficial WR1 spot, with Sutton, and perhaps Pat Bryant, as the main names in the room. Marvin Mims Jr, Troy Franklin, and Lil’Jordan Humphrey could also have a big role in how that group shakes out.
What stands out most is how much stronger the room looks with Waddle in it. Before the trade, the Broncos’ receivers were trying to play above their level. With Waddle added, that problem changes fast, and the ripple effect could be felt across the whole offense.
For now, the Broncos are sticking with Payton’s update and waiting on more information.
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