JaylenWaddle

News: 2 days agoWaddle (leg) isn't slated to play in Friday's preseason contest in Atlanta, Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post reports.

Spin: Waddle initially exited an Aug. 5 practice session early due to muscle tightness, and while he got rid of the sleeve on his left leg this past Saturday, he has yet to mix back into drills in the meantime. As a result, his first taste of game action as a Bronco will have to wait until at least next Friday against the Packers. Once Waddle is healthy, he's set to form a top WR duo in Denver with Courtland Sutton for QB Bo Nix.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Waddle was traded to Denver after spending his first five seasons in Miami. The 2021 first-round pick was solid during his Dolphins tenure, finishing in the top 30 among receivers in fantasy PPG four times, though never reaching the top 10 while often playing second fiddle to Tyreek Hill. Although he has been a reliable target and has missed only seven games in five years, Waddle hasn't finished a season higher than 20th in targets or catches since 2021. In Denver, the 27-year-old Waddle will compete with Courtland Sutton for the team lead in targets in a scheme that likes to spread the ball around. Not utilized near the goal line much at 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds (he's yet to clear seven end zone targets in a season), Waddle is likely to max out as a back-end WR2 in Denver.