Denver Broncos DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

The Denver Broncos have opened the 21-day practice window for running back Tyler Badie (back) to return from Injured Reserve after he collapsed on the sideline after suffering a back injury in the Week 4 win over the New York Jets. It means that Badie will be back at practice with the team this week, but it won't guarantee that he'll be active this Saturday in a big game on the road in Cincinnati against the Bengals. The 24-year-old had to be carted off the field back in Week 4 but has now recovered from his back injury and is ready to get back onto the practice field. When healthy, he'll be buried on the Broncos' RB depth chart behind Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin (quadriceps) and rookie Audric Estime, putting him well off the fantasy radar. In three games this year, Badie had only 11 carries for 86 yards while catching three passes for minus-two yards.

Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz had a serviceable day for fantasy managers in the Week 16 loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football and also kept his made-kick streak alive. Since having the potential game-winning field goal against the Kansas City Chiefs blocked in Week 10, Lutz has gone 11-for-11 on field goals and 19-for-19 on extra points in a span of five games. He made both of his field-goal attempts (long of 55 yards) and all three of his extra-point opportunities in the 34-27 loss to the Bolts on Thursday night to give his fantasy managers a solid 11 points in most scoring formats. The 30-year-old veteran has been one of the most accurate kickers in the league (90.6%) and is getting plenty of opportunities in what has become a capable offense under rookie QB Bo Nix. Lutz will be a must-start in a good matchup in Week 17 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Denver Broncos fullback Michael Burton got into the action in the 34-27 loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday night at SoFi Stadium on a short touchdown pass from rookie quarterback Bo Nix in the second quarter. Burton is not a big part of Denver's offense, but he caught one of Nix's two touchdown passes on the evening for his second touchdown in the last three games. He also fell into the end zone on a goal-line carry in the Week 13 win over the Cleveland Browns. The 32-year-old veteran has mostly served a blocking role for Denver's struggling ground game this year, but he'll occasionally get a touch or two. On the year as a whole through 15 games, Burton has only six rushing attempts for five yards and a touchdown while adding 10 catches on 10 targets for 65 yards and another score. He should continue to be ignored for fantasy purposes.

Denver Broncos rookie seventh-round wide receiver Devaughn Vele found the end zone for just the second time in his NFL career in Thursday night's loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers in Week 16, but he didn't contribute much else. Vele was targeted only three times on the night and caught two passes for 21 yards and an easy six-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter. The 27-year-old built steam in Weeks 10-12, catching 14 passes for 185 yards and a touchdown, but in three games since then, he has only three catches on eight targets for 37 yards and one score. Although the Broncos' passing game will be set up nicely against a porous Cincinnati Bengals defense in Week 17 as they look to clinch a playoff spot, Vele will still be a hard-to-trust WR4/5 in deeper fantasy leagues with limited upside as Nix continues to spread the ball around outside out WR1 Courtland Sutton.

Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton had a modest performance in the team's 34-27 loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on Thursday night in Week 16, catching five of his six targets for 50 yards. In a rare occurrence this year, Sutton didn't lead the team in targets or receiving yards. However, he was still one of rookie quarterback Bo Nix's favorite targets, as his six looks were second on the team behind running back Javonte Williams. The 29-year-old had a six-game streak of at least six receptions and 70 yards snapped in last week's win over the Colts, and his six targets on Thursday were his fewest since a zero-target game in Week 8 against the Saints. Sutton saved his fantasy day with a touchdown in Week 15, but he was unable to do so on Thursday night. Fantasy managers still playing for something in Week 17 will want Sutton in their lineups in a great matchup against Cincy.