Denver Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle sparked some wild speculation after photos and videos taken after the Week 3 victory over the Los Angeles Rams appeared to show the first-year Bronco in a walking boot.
Waddle missed time in the preseason and training camp with a leg strain, so the fact that he was seen limping could cause some legitimate concern from fans and media. However, Mike Weber, cousin of Pat Surtain and friend of Waddle, tweeted that "there’s nothing wrong" with the veteran.
Although he was listed on the Broncos' first injury report of Week 4 on Wednesday, Waddle was a full participant at practice. Coach Sean Payton provided a positive report on the receiver and joked about not letting Waddle be seen in the parking lot wearing
a walking boot.
"He’s doing great," Payton said after Wednesday's practice. "To be honest, you saw him in a boot, right? I would just say this, and I normally don’t spend a lot of time on injuries, but you’d be amazed at how many players after a game you put a boot on them [as a precaution]. He practiced full today, so that’d be a good example. We have to find a way to have him not walking through the parking lot and let you guys ask me questions on Wednesday about a boot.”
Sean Payton said Broncos WR Jaylen Waddle fully participated in today's practice. Payton suggested the walking boot is common and often not a big deal. https://t.co/JoHcg2Xymbhttps://t.co/gBxwnq0A3f
— Jon Heath (@ByJonHeath) September 30, 2026
The Broncos seem to be a much more explosive offense when Waddle is on the field, as evidenced by his 138-yard performance in Week 2. Waddle has also been seen in the running game, taking a jet sweep in Week 3.
It sounds like Waddle's injury scare was more of a precation than an injury. Denver cannot afford to not have him available, especially while navigating the final few weeks of the toughest stretch of the season.
Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X!
This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Sean Payton comments on Jaylen Waddle’s walking boot after Week 3
