Broncos rookie WR Marvin Mims returned to practice on Monday. He had dealt with a hamstring issue. If Tim Patrick’s leg injury is serious, Mims will become a staple in Denver’s 3-WR sets.

Broncos HC Sean Payton made good on his promise to get rookie WR Marvin Mims more playing time coming out of the Week 9 bye. Mims ran 28 routes among 37 Russell Wilson dropbacks in Monday night's win over the Bills. That 75.7% rate checked in just 2 routes behind WR Jerry Jeudy for second on the team and more than doubled Mims' previous high for the season. He didn't garner a single target, which will be kinda important going forward if he's going to actually catch passes. But the big boost in playing time shouldn't be ignored. Denver gets a favorable passing matchup with the Vikings in Week 11 and potential shootout spots vs. the Chargers (twice) and Lions among the final four weeks for most fantasy football leagues. Mims makes sense as a stash in deeper leagues, though you probably still can't start him yet.

Has continued light usage for Broncos rookie WR Marvin Mims frustrated you? Well, HC Sean Payton might be ready to change that coming out of the Week 9 bye. "I'm looking at my notepad and his number on it," Payton said Monday, according to Denver7's Troy Renck. "We are going to work our tails off to move that needle [to get him more involved]." Mims saw season highs in total snaps (28) and snap share (39%) his last time out. But he also hasn't seen more than 1 target in a game since Week 4. And he has exceeded 2 targets just once through eight games. So Denver and the rookie will have to show significant changes before Mims can approach fantasy-starter contention. But coming out of the bye should enhance the potential for big changes. Mims is down to 14% rostered in Sleeper leagues. Consider picking him up in your Week 10 waiver wire runs. If nothing meaningfully changes, we can always drop him again.

Broncos WR Marvin Mims played 17 of 48 offensive snaps in Sunday's win over the Bears, according to Pro Football Focus. That's 35.4% -- not great, but a new season high for the rookie. Mims' 12 pass routes tied for third among Denver WRs with Brandon Johnson, behind Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy. That's not nearly enough playing time to make Mims a reliable fantasy play, but he's at least trending in the right direction. He remains worth stashing in fantasy leagues of 12+ teams. Mims was efficient again vs. Chicago, catching both of his targets for 47 yards.

Broncos WR Marvin Mims is out with a hamstring injury, HC Sean Payton said Wedesday. Mims dealt with an injury to his other hamstring earlier this offseason. Payton expects Mims to be back in action in "about four days, five days, maybe a week." We'll see when the rookie returns to the field. He can't afford to miss too much more time if he wants to push for an early-season role.

The Broncos selected Oklahoma WR Marvin Mims Jr. in Round 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft. Mims produced from the moment he hit the field at Oklahoma. He led the Sooners with 610 receiving yards and 9 TDs as a true freshman, again led the team with 705 yards as a sophomore, and then tallied a career-best 54-1,083-6 line this past year. Mims left school with a huge 19.5 yards-per-catch average and confirmed his top-end speed with a 4.38-second 40-yard dash at the Combine. The 5’11, 183-pounder is a bit wiry and could stand to add some play strength. But he’s a ready-made deep threat with the potential to develop into a 3-level weapon. Denver’s current depth chart looks crowded. But trade rumors have surrounded Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton. Plus, Tim Patrick is coming off an ACL tear.