Jaylen Waddle exited early from practice on Wednesday during Denver Broncos training camp and did not return.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton downplayed the issue after the session, saying the wide receiver was simply dealing with some “muscle tightness,” but that he suspected the former Miami Dolphins star would ultimately be fine.
While that may be true, Payton had to update Waddle’s status with some dour news.
Broncos Will Not Have Jaylen Waddle for Multiple Practices
GettyJaylen Waddle will miss multiple practices for the Broncos due to an injury.
Payton addressed the media after Thursday’s practice for some time before Waddle’s name came up.
In response to a direct question about whether any future evaluation of Waddle revealed something more serious, Payton said, “No.” That is a relief for the Broncos. However, after exiting early on Wednesday, Waddle missed practice on Thursday.
It could be nearly another week before the new Broncos star is back on the field.
“He’s got a strain,” Payton told reporters about Waddle after the Broncos’ practice session in training camp, adding, “I think we’ll see him back in the next four to five days.”
While less than ideal, it is a far better outcome and outlook for Waddle than some of the other possibilities. That is, as long as Payton is accurate in his prognosis. As it stands, he has already said both Waddle and center Luke Wattenberg would be fine after injuries.
Neither has practiced since.
Courtland Sutton Joins Fellow Pro Bowler on Practice Field
GettyCourtland Sutton and a fellow offensive starter drew attention for an unfortunate reason on Wednesday.
Conversely, Pro Bowlers Courtland Sutton and Nik Bonitto both returned to the field after missing Thursday’s session.
Payton noted that Sutton’s situation was about resting the veteran, but he also fielded a question about load-managing players. Payton said he subscribes to “science” rather than the NBA-centric term, but that the point is all the same.
Moreover, Payton said the Broncos will take the approach they did with Sutton with others.
That proactive approach could go a long way toward avoiding some longer-term absences from Sutton, Waddle, or any other Broncos starters.
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