Broncos Injury Watch: Payton Downplays Sutton, Waddle, Bonitto and Wattenberg Concerns
Denver’s training camp is starting to look like a triage tent. Four projected starters have missed practice time over the past several days, and coach Sean Payton spent most of Wednesday fielding questions about all of them.
Wide receiver Courtland Sutton sat out for the second straight day on Wednesday. Linebacker Nik Bonitto has been in and out since limping off the field earlier in camp. Center Luke Wattenberg has missed time with an injury since Monday. And wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, Denver’s big offseason trade acquisition, has also been banged up. Payton has downplayed all four situations, according to ClutchPoints, and insists the group will be ready when the regular season arrives.
Sutton’s Status Still Murky, But Payton Sounds Confident
Sutton was on the field Wednesday but wasn’t dressed for work. No pads, no helmet. Whether that’s a lingering issue or simply a scheduled veteran rest day hasn’t been made clear. ESPN’s camp tracker reported Sutton was held out Tuesday for rest as part of a broader plan from Payton to give veterans scheduled days off, with Sutton first in line.
Bleacher Report’s James Palmer posted an update on X that lines up with that framing: “Sounds like Sutton will be practicing tomorrow, per Sean Payton,” Palmer wrote —
Sounds like Sutton will be practicing tomorrow per Sean Payton. https://t.co/9Fdo3B7Rn2
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) August 5, 2026
Durability has never been the concern with Sutton. He’s appeared in at least 15 games in each of the past five seasons. Last year he caught 74 passes for 1,017 yards and seven touchdowns, helping push Denver to a 14-3 record and the AFC West title. He’s still Bo Nix’s top target as the quarterback works his way back from an ankle injury of his own.
Wattenberg and Bonitto Also Banged Up
Sutton isn’t the only name on Denver’s watch list. Wattenberg was unable to finish Monday’s session and hasn’t practiced since, forcing Alex Forsyth into the starting center spot in his absence, per Heavy.com. Bonitto, coming off back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons, left practice earlier in camp and has also been held out. Payton has been characteristically tight-lipped on specifics for both, saying only that he expects them back before long.
None of the four injuries — Sutton, Wattenberg, Bonitto or Waddle — have been described by Payton or beat reporters as serious. That’s the throughline of camp so far: a physical week of padded practices producing bumps and bruises, not long-term concerns.
Why This Matters for Denver’s Offense
Losing Sutton for any stretch would sting. He’s been the Broncos’ most consistent perimeter target for years, and pairing him with Waddle — acquired via trade with Miami this offseason — was supposed to give Nix two legitimate outside threats. With both banged up at various points this week, it’s been Marvin Mims Jr., Troy Franklin and Pat Bryant soaking up first-team reps instead. Franklin in particular has drawn praise for his week, a reminder that camp absences at the top of the depth chart double as auditions for the players behind them.
Sutton has spoken highly of offensive coordinator Davis Webb, who enters his second stint calling plays in Denver. Sutton has gone as far as calling Webb a “mad scientist,” a phrase he elaborated on in June when discussing Webb’s scheme background.
“It’s a combination of things that he’s learned from Coach Payton and things that he’s liked and seen from his own experience of playing and coaching in this league. I know that he’s ready. There’s not a thought behind it. I know that he’s ready,” Sutton said, per ClutchPoints.
Denver opens the preseason on August 14 against the Atlanta Falcons, giving Payton just over a week to sort out who’s healthy and who still needs a rest day.
