Marvin Mims Jr. Receives Encouraging Injury Update Before Chiefs Matchup

The Denver Broncos got a much-needed boost this week. 

As CBS Sports noted, wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. practiced as a full participant for the first time since suffering a concussion in Week 8. 

After missing two straight games, Mims is “nearing a return to action” according to multiple reports. 

However, he must still clear the final stage of the NFL’s concussion protocol, including sign-off from an independent neurologist in order to play Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. 

Sean Payton expressed cautious optimism about the second-year wideout: 

“He’s trending in the right direction. Getting him back in the mix would help us with what we want to do offensively.” 

Mims has now logged back-to-back full practices on Wednesday and Thursday, a key indicator he’s closing in on clearance.

Meanwhile, six Broncos, including Pat Surtain II and J.K. Dobbins, have not practiced this week, but Mims’ return stood out as some good news. 

Mims’ Injury and the Offensive Impact 

Mims hasn’t played since suffering a concussion late in Denver’s Week 8 win over the Dallas Cowboys.

He missed Weeks 9 and 10, and the offense hasn’t looked the same in his absence.

The Broncos averaged just 14 total points over their last two games, lacked explosive plays downfield, and struggled to stretch defenses vertically.  

Mims entered Week 8 ranked among the team leaders in explosive pass plays as he has  averaged 10.6 yards per reception. 

That is the highest among Denver’s wideouts so far this season. 

So far this season, Mims has 22 catches for 234 yards, including four catches of 23 or more yards. 

Without him, defenses compressed the field which greatly impacted the Denver offense. 

Sean Payton acknowledged the difference earlier in the week, saying the offense missed Mims’ “ability to threaten safeties and open up other parts of the passing game.”

What Mims’ Return Means for the Broncos’ Offense

Getting Mims back would fundamentally change the way defenses have to play Denver.

His deep-speed presence forces cornerbacks to play off, safeties to play deeper, and coordinators to rethink their coverage shells. 

His ability to take the top off opens space for Courtland Sutton and Troy Franklin on intermediate routes and creates lighter boxes for Denver’s depleted run game.

Payton didn’t hide what Mims means to this offense: “He changes the field for us. It’s different when he’s out there.” 

The Broncos now have an extremely important matchup this Sunday against a Chiefs defense that ranks sixth in yards allowed. 

This matchup has massive stakes. 

The Broncos currently sit atop the AFC West at 8-2, while the Chiefs have slipped to 5-4. 

But with the way the Broncos offense has been playing and the historical success of the Chiefs over the decade, this race is much closer than the records show. 

Sunday offers Denver a chance to strengthen its hold on first place while delivering a significant blow to Kansas City’s hopes of climbing back into contention. 

The Chiefs have won the AFC West for nine years in a row, but their slow start has put that potential streak in jeopardy. 

This is a massive opportunity for Denver to pull away and flip the script. 

The potential return of Marvin Mims Jr. gives the Broncos a much-needed vertical threat as they look to maintain control of the division.

Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Marvin Mims Jr. Receives Encouraging Injury Update Before Chiefs Matchup appeared first on Heavy Sports.