Broncos calling on intriguing rookie sooner than expected with Marvin Mims injury

The Denver Broncos will be unveiling one of their most intriguing rookies against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday Night Football, and much sooner than anyone expected.

Rookie wide receiver/return specialist Kolbe Katsis was a fascinating addition to the team after the 2026 NFL Draft. The Broncos were said to be looking for kickoff/punt return depth during the 2026 NFL Draft, but they never used a pick on anybody with that skill set. That immediately made someone like Katsis more interesting when he was signed after the draft concluded.

Katsis took advantage of the opportunity to show what he could do during the NFL preseason, maximizing nearly every single one of his reps on both kickoff and punt returns.

He impressed enough to the point that the Broncos brought him onto the practice squad, and with Marvin Mims Jr. questionable for Week 3 with a foot injury, Katsis is being called up.

Kolbe Katsis could give Broncos another dynamic weapon in the return game

During the preseason, Katsis returned 6 kickoffs for 187 yards and an average of 31.2 yards per return. He also had another huge kickoff return that was called back due to a penalty.

He also returned 3 punts for 48 yards, an average of 16 yards per return.

Katsis has the type of field-flipping explosiveness the Broncos need as a complement to what Mims brings to the table. They have mostly been without Mims through the first two games of the season, and for much of the preseason and training camp as well.

The timing for Mims is horrendous, because he's in a contract year and was hopeful of impressing enough to earn a deal either in Denver or somewhere else. As clutch as Mims has been, and as huge as he's been in the return game, the team is already having to get a glimpse of what life without him could look like.

And to say it's been unimpressive in the return game would be an understatement.

Outside of a decent return by Tyler Badie against the Jaguars, the Broncos have not been nearly as strong in the return game (kickoffs or punts) without Mims in there. In fact, the team made somewhat of a nonsensical decision to throw Kris Abrams-Draine back for punt returns after not having him take reps all training camp.

It's understandable that they would be looking for alternatives already on the roster, considering they are already using practice squad elevations for fullback Adam Prentice and long snapper Mitchell Fraboni.

With Jonah Coleman (sadly) going on injured reserve and missing the next four games, Fraboni has been signed to the 53-man roster, and Katsis is getting the call for an elevation.

We won't officially know for certain until gametime, but the Broncos wouldn't burn one of Katsis's elevations this early in the season just to have him inactive for the game.

He's going to get to go out there and do what he does best.

Kolbe Katsis can parlay his practice squad elevation into Broncos roster spot

The best-case scenario for Katsis in this game is to play well enough that the Broncos elevate him again next week, and to keep playing well enough to get a 53-man roster spot.

Let's not put the cart ahead of the horse, however.

The first step for Katsis isn't going to be thinking about a 53-man roster spot, but simply making plays in the return game. He came dangerously close to busting a couple of touchdown returns in the preseason, and perhaps he can break open the game against the Rams in Week 3 with a big return.

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