Broncos are doomed if they lose this WR
Sean Payton's first year in Denver was always going to be difficult, but the task potentially got a lot more daunting on Thursday when wide receiver Jerry Jeudy suffered a hamstring injury during practice.
Afterward, Payton said, "Hopefully it's not anything long-term."
While Jeudy hasn't lived up to expectations since being drafted 15th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Alabama, he's one of Russell Wilson's only proven receivers.
Jeudy struggled mightily with drops as a rookie. Per data from Pro Football Focus, he had 12 drops on 110 targets in 2020 but has only eight on 154 targets in the past two seasons.
He was arguably Wilson's most trusted target last year. Jeudy had 53 receptions, 800 yards and six touchdowns in Wilson's 15 starts.
The connection got stronger as the season grew. After only connecting on 17 of Jeudy's 36 intended targets (47.2 percent) from Weeks 1-6, Jeudy caught 36 of 45 targets (80 percent) in their final seven games.
On Wednesday, Broncos reporter Mike Klis observed some issues with Jeudy during practice but even more concerning was Payton's comment later that "a handful of players" at receiver were underperforming.
Jeudy might not be on the same level as Wilson's former teammates DK Metcalf or Tyler Lockett but he's the best option in Denver.
The trickle-down effect of a long absence could be disastrous for Wilson and the Broncos. Courtland Sutton, a nice No. 2 option, will be thrust into the lead receiver role. Rookie Marvin Mims Jr. will be required to do a lot more, too. Others including Kendall Hinton, Marquez Callaway and Lil'Jordan Humphrey are players better suited as fourth, fifth and sixth options, not key contributors.
The Broncos already lost Tim Patrick to a ruptured Achilles, one year after he suffered a torn ACL that cost him the entire 2022 season.
They could be down two projected 2023 offensive weapons in Week 1 against the Raiders. Denver needs Jeudy back or else this season could fall off the rails as quickly as the last.
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