Denver Broncos

Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix was a little wobbly, as expected, in the Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on the road, but head coach Sean Payton mostly thinks that the team's offensive weapons need to step up around Nix. The 24-year-old Oregon product finished 26-for-42 for 138 yards and two interceptions while carrying the ball five times for 35 yards and a rushing TD. Thirteen of his completions went for four or fewer yards. At best, Nix will be a low-end QB2 option for fantasy managers in superflex leagues against a swarming Steelers defense. Expect Denver to prioritize the ground game a bit more against Pittsburgh while continuing to mostly give Nix shorter targets to help him succeed and build his confidence. The Steelers held Kirk Cousins to 155 yards passing in Week 1. Nix has a tough opening schedule, so fantasy managers should expect more growing pains.

Denver Broncos wide receiver Josh Reynolds (Achilles) was on the team's injury report this week but managed to put in a full practice on Friday and won't carry an injury designation into the Week 2 contest on Sunday in Denver against the Pittsburgh Steelers. We aren't necessarily recommending Reynolds as a flex play in standard-sized 12-team fantasy leagues, but he's going to have a bit more upside with rookie Devaughn Vele (ribs) being ruled out. In the Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Vele played nearly half the offensive snaps and received eight targets, which is as many as Reynolds had on his way to a five-catch, 45-yard day in his Broncos debut. The 29-year-old should have an expanded role behind Courtland Sutton, but fantasy managers should still temper their expectations with quarterback Bo Nix making just his second career start against a Steelers defense that shut down the Falcons in Week 1.

Denver Broncos rookie wide receiver Devaughn Vele (ribs) missed practice all week with an injury to his ribs and was officially ruled out on Friday for the team's Week 2 home opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers. It's extremely disappointing for Vele, who caught all eight of his targets for 39 yards on 49% of the offensive snaps in the Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The 26-year-old seventh-round selection this year seems to have already built some nice chemistry with fellow rookie quarterback Bo Nix, but he'll have to get healthy first before hoping to carve out a role as the WR3 in Denver in his first year in the NFL. For now, Vele is mostly just a bench stash in deep fantasy leagues and dynasty/keeper formats. Vele's absence on Sunday will create more targets for Courtland Sutton, Josh Reynolds and Marvin Mims Jr. against a tough defense.

Denver Broncos wide receiver Josh Reynolds (Achilles) is a limited participant during Thursday's practice session. This is positive news after Reynolds didn't suit up for Wednesday's practice. He appears to be trending in the right direction ahead of the Week 2 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Reynolds hauled in five of his eight targets for 45 yards in the season opener. It's quite surprising to see Reynolds getting that many targets. It appears his fantasy value could be on the rise in Denver. Fantasy managers will have to check back for another update after Friday's practice. If he sits on Sunday, Marvin Mims Jr. or Troy Franklin could see increased snaps. Neither player would be an ideal streaming option for Week 2.

Denver Broncos wide receivers Josh Reynolds (Achilles) and Devaughn Vele (ribs) were both listed as non-participants in Wednesday's practice. Both wideouts were pivotal pieces in Denver's passing attack against the Seahawks despite the 26-20 loss. Vele and Reynolds each tied for second on the team with eight targets (Courtland Sutton - 12), while the former caught all eight of his --albeit for 39 yards -- and the latter led the team with 45 yards and a long gain of 25. For either player to participate in the Bronco's Week 2 home tilt against the Pittsburgh Steelers, they'll need to get in at least one limited session before the weekend. Of note: while the rookie wideout averaged just 4.9 yards a grab this past Sunday, he was in on 34 of Denver's snaps (49%) and ran 83.9% of his routes from the slot. After a one-game sample, at least -- it would appear Sean Payton has found his "big-slot" guy.