Broncos Return Pat Bryant to Practice
Denver wide receiver Pat Bryant returned to on-field work after missing four games with a sprained ankle.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Football
The Broncos returned wide receiver Pat Bryant to practice on Wednesday, ahead of Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers. Bryant had missed the team's last four games after spraining his ankle late in the third quarter of a 24-14 Week 4 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Why it matters
Bryant leads the Broncos in yards per catch and is tied for the team lead in receptions of 30 or more yards, so his availability affects the passing offense. Denver has a 21-day window to activate him from injured reserve.
Bryant recorded 133 yards on nine receptions and averaged 14.8 yards per catch, the best on the team, through four games. He is tied with Jaylen Waddle for the team lead with two receptions of 30 or more yards.
The players
Pat Bryant
Pat Bryant is a Broncos wide receiver who has led the team in yards per catch this season.
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are an NFL franchise based in Englewood, Colorado, that plays its home games in the Denver metropolitan area.
The details
Bryant was injured at the end of a 30-yard catch-and-run late in the third quarter of Denver's 24-14 Week 4 loss to San Francisco and was placed on injured reserve later that week. Cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine, defensive lineman Enyi Uwazurike, and safeties Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones were not on the field when practice began.
Timeline
Oct. 11: Talanoa Hufanga injured his ankle in the third quarter of the win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Week 4: Bryant was injured in the 24-14 loss to the 49ers.
Last Sunday: Kris Abrams-Draine injured his ankle in the win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Wednesday: Bryant took part in Broncos practice at the Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse.
Sunday: The Broncos play the Carolina Panthers.
Season Trajectory
Bryant's return comes as the Broncos work through a run of injuries in their secondary and receiving corps this season. Activating a top-performing receiver under the league's 21-day injured reserve window could help Denver's offense as it faces Carolina.
Bryant's activation would add a proven deep threat to the Broncos' passing game for Sunday. Fantasy managers tracking Denver's receivers should watch whether he is designated to return before kickoff.
The takeaway
Bryant's return would restore one of Denver's most productive deep-ball targets, and the activation timeline will show how quickly the Broncos plan to use him. Fans should watch the official injury report later in the week.
What happens next
Denver has a 21-day window to activate Bryant from injured reserve, and the Broncos play Carolina on Sunday.
Further reading
For more on the team's roster moves, see Football coverage for Denver.
