Broncos injury report in Week 4 opens up intriguing possibility for the offense

When the Denver Broncos take the field in Week 4 against the San Francisco 49ers, they might get the chance to do something offensively that has only been an idea up to this point: Putting both Jaylen Waddle and Marvin Mims Jr. on the field at the same time.

We know the Broncos want those guys to be on the field together this season, because on their very first drive of the season against the Kansas City Chiefs, those two were on the field together for two of the first three plays of the game.

With Mims missing the past two games due to a foot injury, the possibility of having the two fastest players offensively on the field together has been merely that -- a possibility. An idea.

The initial Week 4 injury report ahead of the team's game against the 49ers in San Francisco is a clear indicator that we're about to see those guys on the field together again.

Broncos Week 4 injury report includes good news for Marvin Mims Jr., Jaylen Waddle

Both Marvin Mims Jr. and Jaylen Waddle were listed as full participants at practice for the Broncos at their Wednesday practice, and both of them with foot injuries.

Waddle was reported to be fine after he was spotted in a walking boot following the team's Sunday night victory against the Los Angeles Rams.

Why is this duo so important?

To get the answer to that question, you really have to go back to the beginning of training camp, where Mims and Waddle were both healthy and on the field together before also dealing with injuries causing them to miss substantial time at camp.

In the earliest stages of camp, when the offensive installation was still happening, Mims was one of the early stars. Not only that, but he was also frequently on the field in packages with Waddle.

Offensive coordinator Davis Webb knows the offense needs to be more explosive, and he also understands that the offense is capable of being more explosive. The Broncos have a reputation around the NFL world for being a team that doesn't really push the ball deep because Bo Nix can't, or Sean Payton won't, and neither of those things are true.

The Broncos have been one of the most successful teams in the NFL when it comes to their downfield passing attack. Bo Nix has 21 touchdown passes of 20-plus yards dating back to the start of his rookie season.

A number of those have been to Marvin Mims Jr., who has been the most clutch player for the offense and might have the best hands on the team. The Broncos have wanted to expand Mims's role this season, but an injury during training camp, as well as an injury suffered in the final preseason game, have prevented their vision for him in 2026 from coming to fruition.

Getting both Mims and Waddle on the field together provides the Broncos with a couple of really intriguing possibilities, possibilities the 49ers don't really have any substantial film to plan for.

First of all, the speed of those two players makes for the constant possibility of downfield explosives.

Second, both Mims and Waddle are weapons after the catch, and can be moved all around the offensive formation. In the first three weeks of the season, we've seen Davis Webb line Jaylen Waddle up in the backfield, even having him lined up right next to JK Dobbins in some unique-looking formations.

We've seen the Broncos do similar things in the past with Marvin Mims, who has even been handed the ball as a traditional running back at times in the past.

When those two guys are on the field together, they demand the defense's attention because they can get the ball in so many different ways. And the Broncos want to exploit that.

Don't be shocked if Mims is immediately and heavily utilized upon his return, especially in sets with Jaylen Waddle also on the field.

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