ENGLEWOOD, Colo — Sure, Courtland Sutton will be a difficult absence for the Broncos' offense Sunday with all his touchdowns and acrobatic catches.
Then there's Marvin Mims Jr.
If the Broncos' rookie receiver and returner can't play Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers because of a late-week hamstring injury, the team is poised to replace him with up to three players.
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A terrific punt and kickoff returner and deep-ball receiver, Mims is listed as questionable on the injury report. The amount of roster movement Saturday indicates Mims is on the doubtful side of questionable. The Broncos promoted slot receiver and punt returner Michael Bandy from their practice squad to their 53-man roster.
To make roster room for Bandy, the Broncos placed special teamer Dwayne Washington on the reserve/non-football illness list.
The team also elevated veteran speed receiver Phillip Dorsett and outside linebacker Ronnie Perkins from their practice squad. Perkins replaces Baron Browning, who is out with a concussion.
The Broncos could also use special teamer Tremon Smith as a kick returner. Smith had a 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in 2021 while with the Houston Texans. The Broncos signed Smith as a free agent to a two-year, $5 million contract in March with the idea he could help in the return game, but that was before the team drafted Mims with the last pick in the second round.
Mims is averaging 17.2 yards per catch, 17.4 yards per punt return and 26.3 yards per kickoff return. He'd be leading the NFL in punt returns and would be No. 3 in kickoff returns if he had enough to qualify.
The Broncos' top two outside linebackers will be Jonathon Cooper and Nik Bonitto, who returns after missing the previous two games with an MCL injury. Cooper leads the Broncos with 7.5 sacks; Bonitto is second with 7.0.
Perkins and rookie Drew Sanders will back up at outside linebacker.
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