Team news: Denver Broncos

On Monday, coach Sean Payton was asked whether Javonte Williams will miss “extended time,” and whether Jaleel McLaughlin’s role will expand.

“Let’s talk about Jaleel,” Payton told reporters. “He played really well. He’s one of the guys that got a game ball this morning. He was explosive in the run and the pass. He gave us some juice, so we’ll continue to look at his role. Javonte — we won’t mention or comment on until the week progresses. [That’s] typical for us, relative to injuries.”

We reported Sunday that Williams had a hip flexor and wouldn't miss much time. As the story said, the Broncos aren't obligated to disclose injury information beyond the confines of the weekly injury reports. Even if Williams can’t go, the Broncos are likely pleased with what they saw from McLaughlin, a running back found by Payton and G.M. George Paton beyond the seven rounds of the 2023 draft, the story said. He may be worth picking up even without knowing Williams' status for Week 5. It will be a tough home matchup against a good Jets defense in Week 5.

Broncos RB Javonte Williams suffered a hip flexor during Sunday’s win over the Bears.

A positive update for Williams. He is not expected to miss much time, if any at all. He may be back for Week 5 against the Jets. He left early after just five touches. Jaleel McLaughlin ended up leading the charge in the backfield with 72 yards on 7 carries in helping Denver erase a 21-point deficit for their first win of the season.

Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy (hamstring) was a full participant yesterday, putting him on track to play this Sunday.

Related Players: Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims

The Broncos passing offense once again looked more or less anemic in Week 1, and Jeudy returning should add some oomph to the pass-catching unit. While this doesn't necessarily put Russell Wilson on 1QB radars, Jeudy should be considered a strong WR3 with upside for more if he's a full-go come Sunday.

Broncos listing WR Jerry Jeudy as a full participant in today’s practice, putting him on track to play Sunday vs. Washington.

Related Players: Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims, Brandon Johnson, Lil'Jordan Humphrey

With the way the Broncos offense performed in Week 1, this should hopefully provide a shot in the arm. Jeudy should instantly be atop the target share in Week 2, which should allow him to return high-end WR3 value.

Broncos’ TE Greg Dulcich is expected to be sidelined multiple weeks after injuring the same hamstring.

Related players: Adam Trautman, Chris Manhertz

As Schefter noted, this is the same hamstring that caused Dulcich to miss Denver’s first five games last season and then the last two games at the end of the season as well. Schefter added the Broncos will take it slow with Dulcich when bringing him back, and he could be an IR candidate as a result of that statement. Meanwhile, Trautman was pretty involved in Denver's offense in Week 1, and could be worth a pickup if you're in need at the TE position.

After the game yesterday, Javonte Williams said his knee felt even stronger as the game went on.

Related players: Samaje Perine

It's great news for Williams owners, as he made amazing progress in the offseason to be ready for Week 1. Williams finished with a team-high 13 carries for 52 yards and he added four catches on six targets but for just five yards. Perine was still a factor, leading the team in receiving yards with an unimpressive 37 yards on four targets. But Williams was the leader in the backfield and the hope for owners is he continues to trend up. Week 1 was certainly a good sign bigger workloads could be in the future.

The Broncos elevated wide receivers Lil’Jordan Humphrey and Phillip Dorsett from the practice squad for Sunday’s game against the Raiders.

Teams can bring up a maximum of two players from the practice squad so the fact the Broncos used both spots on a wide receiver could be pretty telling regarding Jerry Jeudy’s chances to play Sunday. Jeudy is questionable with a hamstring injury. It feels like the Broncos will err on the side of caution here and play the long game with Jeudy, especially with a hamstring injury. We’ll know for sure a little before 3:00 Sunday with the Broncos in a 4:25 kickoff.

Asked today if WR Jerry Jeudy (hamstring) will be moved to short-term injured reserve tomorrow, Broncos GM George Paton said: "He will not go on that.''

Related players: Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims, Lil'Jordan Humphrey

As the post added, it would seem to indicate Broncos believe, at least right now, Jeudy will be back some point before the fourth game of the year. If Juedy does miss any games, Sutton and Mims would be the team's top two wideouts.

Source confirms Wil Lutz is being traded to Denver.

Related players: Brett Maher

The Broncos released Maher after acquiring Lutz.