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Waddle’s exit occurred in the final seconds of the opening quarter. The wide receiver attempted to haul in a pass in front of Panthers cornerback Marco Wilson when he was struck by Zakee Wheatley, an impact that dislodged the ball. Although Waddle initially stood up and began walking toward the Broncos' huddle, he was subsequently removed from the field and did not return to the game. Prior to his departure, he had recorded one reception for 22 yards. On the season, Waddle has accumulated 30 catches for 337 yards and two touchdowns, having previously navigated through ankle and chest injuries.
Secondary depth tested as injuries mount
The situation worsened for Denver shortly after Waddle’s exit when Moss sustained his concussion during the second quarter. The injury occurred while the cornerback was making a tackle on Panthers player Trevor Etienne. Following Moss' departure, second-year cornerback Jahdae Barron was called upon to fill the vacancy in the defensive lineup.
These latest health concerns arrive at a challenging time for the Broncos, who entered the game already missing their starting safeties. Both Brandon Jones, dealing with a hamstring issue, and Talanoa Hufanga, sidelined by an ankle injury, were declared inactive prior to kickoff. The Broncos, who hold a 6-2 record, are currently navigating a tight race for the top spot in the AFC West, holding a narrow lead over the Kansas City Chiefs.
