The Denver Broncos are fighting for their playoff lives, but they might have to battle for the postseason without one of their top offensive playmakers. Veteran wideout Courtland Sutton headed for Denver’s locker room just before halftime of the club’s Sunday night game. What happened to Sutton in Week 16?
Courtland Sutton Injury Update
Sutton appeared to be shaken up after failing to haul in a pass from Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson in the first half of the Broncos’ Week 16 game against the New England Patriots.
Sutton wasn’t on the field for several for several snaps before the NFL Network broadcast announced was in Denver’s locker room being evaluated for a concussion.
#Broncos WR Courtland Sutton has gone to the locker room to be examined after not playing much since this play where appeared to get shaken up. pic.twitter.com/QVYnxbMUGi
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) December 25, 2023
While Denver initially listed Sutton as questionable to return, the club eventually ruled him out near the beginning of the third quarter. Sutton might have a difficult time clearing the NFL’s concussion protocol in time for the Broncos’ Week 17 game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Denver is currently the No. 11 seed in the AFC playoff picture. If the Broncos beat the Patriots tonight, they will jump the Cincinnati Bengals to become the No. 10 seed. Still, they’d need some help over the final two weeks of the season to jump back into the postseason picture.
Fantasy Fallout From Sutton’s Injury
Jerry Jeudy may have the chance to be the unquestioned leading man in the passing game with Sutton sidelined. Sutton has had a big bounce-back season with 58 receptions for 770 yards and 10 TDs heading into Week 16.
If he’s unable to return to the game, a combination of Jeudy, Brandon Johnson, and Marvin Mims Jr. will likely see extra looks in the passing game. Sutton’s absence could also have a slight impact on QB Russell Wilson too, seeing that Sutton has been Wilson’s go-to option in the red area throughout the entirety of the 2023 season.
— PFN Fantasy Analyst Derek Tate