Jaylen Waddle injury update: chest issue after Week 7
Jaylen Waddle left Sunday's game against the Cardinals with a chest injury and did not return.
Jaylen Waddle exited Sunday’s Week 7 game against the Arizona Cardinals with a chest injury and did not return. The Broncos wide receiver was hurt on a fourth-quarter reverse attempt.
What happened
Waddle suffered the injury on a play where quarterback Bo Nix flipped the ball to him in the backfield. Waddle couldn’t handle the flip and stayed down after jumping on the ball to avoid a turnover. He left the field and went to the blue medical tent for evaluation before walking to the locker room with members of Denver’s athletic training staff. He did not return, and the Broncos won 30-16.
Head coach Sean Payton called the reverse call “awful” and said he did not have a detailed update on Waddle’s condition after the game.
Context
Waddle has 55.1 PPR points through six games this season, with 38 targets, 22 receptions, 228 receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown. Before Sunday, he had not been listed on the injury report for Week 4 and was limited on Wednesday with a chest issue ahead of Week 7.
Depth chart
If Waddle misses time, Courtland Sutton is next on the depth chart at LWR2. Sutton has 31.3 PPR points, 28 targets, 13 receptions, 123 receiving yards, and one touchdown this season. Marvin Mims Jr. (6.2 PPR points), Troy Franklin (12.1), Lil’Jordan Humphrey (1.8), and Pat Bryant (31.9) are also on the depth chart.
What’s next
Denver’s Week 8 opponent is the Kansas City Chiefs. Payton’s lack of a detailed update makes Waddle’s status unclear moving forward.
🏈 Fantasy impact
Waddle’s chest injury is a concern for Week 8 against the Chiefs. With no detailed update from Payton, managers should prepare for the possibility he misses time. In deeper leagues, Courtland Sutton is the primary beneficiary and should be rostered where available. Sutton has 31.3 PPR points and 13 receptions this season. Marvin Mims Jr. and Troy Franklin are lower-priority adds. If Waddle is out, Sutton becomes a flex option, but he has underperformed relative to expectations. Hold Waddle until more is known, but add Sutton as insurance in 12-team leagues or deeper.
Quick answers
What is Jaylen Waddle's injury status?
Jaylen Waddle suffered a chest injury in Week 7 and did not return. Head coach Sean Payton did not provide a detailed update after the game.