Jerry Jeudy injury update: Broncos give return timeline for receiver

Jerry Jeudy somehow avoided a far more serious injury on Sunday, but he’ll still be out for a little while.

During Sunday’s season opener against the New York Giants, Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy suffered what looked to be a major leg or ankle injury. But x-rays were negative, and on Monday head coach Vic Fangio confirmed the second-year man suffered a high ankle sprain and he’s expected to miss 4-6 weeks.

Jeudy had six receptions for a team-high 72 yards before being injured in the third quarter, as he started on a quest for a rebound/breakout season after a rookie campaign filled with erratic quarterback play and drops in 2020. The fact he didn’t suffer a season-ending broken ankle (or worse) is the best possible outcome for him, and the Broncos will await his return sometime in October.

Who will step up for the Broncos with Jerry Jeudy out?

On Sunday, Tim Patrick had a touchdown among his four catches for 39 yards against the Giants. K.J. Hamler had three catches for 41 yards. Courtland Sutton only had one catch in the game, but he was surely a little rusty coming off a torn ACL last year. So the Broncos have the wide receiver depth to cover Jeudy’s absence, with a couple capable tight ends too (Noah Fant, Albert Okwuegbunam).

Teddy Bridgewater was accurate and poised in his first start under center for the Broncos, which is probably all the offense needs to be pretty good. Losing Jeudy’s talent will hurt as he clearly had some quick rapport with Bridgewater. But only being out 4-6 weeks is, again, the best case scenario for all involved.

From a fantasy angle, Jeudy can hopefully be stashed in an IR spot for those who drafted him. Patrick and Hamler are on the radar this week as waiver wire options.