The Broncos have designated wide receiver Josh Reynolds for return from injured reserve and opened his 21-day practice window, according to Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette.
Reynolds landed on injured reserve on October 12 after undergoing finger surgery. He also was wounded in a shooting two weeks later outside of a Denver nightclub, though he was only treated for minor injuries.
The veteran receiver was a full participant in his first practice in a month, per the Broncos’ official injury report. Denver is well behind the Chiefs in the AFC West, but they remain in contention for a wildcard spot with a 5-5 record through 10 weeks. Reynolds’ return will add an experienced target into an offense that is averaging just 186.6 passing yards per game, the sixth-fewest in the NFL.
Reynolds’ absence did allow the Broncos to give more snaps to their young receiving corps, with rookies Troy Franklin and Devaughn Vele both seeing increased playing time in recent weeks. Franklin has disappointed after a productive career at Oregon, catching just 15 of his 29 targets for 144 yards in nine games. Vele, however, has been able to make up much of Reynolds’ production with an 81.5% catch rate and 35.8 yards per game, just shy of Reynolds’ 36.6 yards per game to start the season.
Reynolds will have 21 days to practice with the team before he must be added to the active roster. Otherwise, he reverts to season-ending injured reserve and would not play again this year.
Lets hope he leaves the nightclubs alone for awhile …