Update, Sept. 15 — Broncos head coach Sean Payton says Jeudy, who missed Week 1 with a hamstring injury he suffered in the offseason, is good to go for Week 2 against the Commanders. Denver will get one of its biggest weapons from the 2022 season back as it searches for its first win in 2023.
As for fantasy managers, Jeudy appears to be fully recovered and merits flex consideration for sure. He could be upgraded to a WR2 in deeper leagues, but he’s a fine play at that spot or the flex spot in 12-team or smaller leagues as well.
Update, Sept. 14 — Jeudy was upgraded to a full practice participant on Thursday. He could head into the weekend without an injury designation if he can log another full practice on Friday.
Broncos listing WR Jerry Jeudy as a full participant in today’s practice, putting him on track to play Sunday vs. Washington.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 14, 2023
Denver Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy was limited at practice on Wednesday ahead of Week 2 vs. the Washington Commanders. Jeudy was injured during training camp and was held out of the Broncos’ 17-16 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1. Jeudy returning to practice is a good sign he could be ready to play. Let’s go over the fantasy football impact of his potential return.
Fantasy football implications for Week 2
The Broncos employed a spread-out committee approach to deal with the loss of Jeudy in Week 1. Courtland Sutton, Lil’Jordan Humphrey and Brandon Johnson each played at least 32 offensive snaps at WR, per Pro Football Focus. Sutton led the way with 32 routes run and five targets. Humphrey was next but Johnson had one more target (3-2). Rookie Marvin Mims Jr., who was getting a lot of hype out of preseason, played 17 snaps, ran 10 routes and had two targets without a catch.
No Broncos receiver (including TEs and RBs) had more than 37 yards and five targets. We also saw 11 players targeted by QB Russell Wilson. All of this is awful for fantasy football. If Jeudy is back, Mims may not play at all. You’d also think Johnson and/or Humphrey will see fewer snaps, routes and targets. Sutton should maintain his role as the No. 2 wideout. TE Greg Dulcich is out, so Adam Trautman gets more snaps at TE and could see more targets.
If Jeudy is back, he should be a good play as a fringe WR2 and FLEX option in PPR formats. Sutton loses some value but may be an OK FLEX in deeper PPR leagues. Trautman is interesting at TE even with Jeudy back. Humphrey, Johnson and Mims may not have much fantasy value after Week 2.
