The Broncos crushed the Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, but a blotch on their day came in the form of Jaylen Waddle's injury late in the fourth quarter on a rogue playcall by Sean Payton
Jaylen Waddle appeared to aggravate his chest injury on a needless trick play late in the win at Arizona
Jaylen Waddle appeared to aggravate his chest injury on a needless trick play late in the win at Arizona(Image: X @jmthrivePT)
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Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton called out reporters for avoiding questions about his whiffed play that led to Jaylen Waddle’s injury.
On Sunday, the Broncos secured a dominant 30-16 road win over the Arizona Cardinals. Bo Nix enjoyed an improved performance, answering his critics from the Week 6 win over the Seattle Seahawks by completing 15-of-29 passes for 222 yards and a touchdown.
The quarterback also scored a 62-yard rushing touchdown - the longest rushing score by a quarterback in four seasons. While Nix spread the ball around to nine different receivers, Payton was left frustrated as his attempt to undo the Cardinals' defense went awry.
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Late in the fourth quarter, Nix pitched the ball to receiver Waddle, who then bobbled the ball and recovered his own fumble. But the receiver - the subject of a high-profile trade to Denver from the Miami Dolphins in the offseason - came up holding his chest.
Waddle stayed down after the play, then got up using his right arm to support his left arm. He eventually hobbled off the field, walking off under his own power, and was evaluated in the medical tent before being taken to the locker room a short time later.
The 27-year-old did not reappear the rest of the game.
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Given he had been limited in practice due to a chest injury, Waddle's status will be heavily monitored this week heading into a crucial AFC West showdown in Week 8 against the Kansas City Chiefs. After the game, Payton was surprised that no reporters questioned him about the play call that left his receiver injured.
“Why didn't anyone ask me about the dumb play call, the dumb reverse call?” Payton asked reporters. “That would be one of the first calls! I'm gonna answer, [pretending] everyone asked the question: It was awful! All right, I'm sorry!
“If you look it up, in 2008, in a similar situation, even a more radical reverse, fumbled, Tampa Bay beat us. I know better, and every once in a while, you fall in love with a play, and so, that would have been a good question.”
Payton was actually referring to the New Orleans Saints' clash with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 13 back in 2007. But the sentiment was the same, as his desire to run a reverse has again come back to bite his team.
The veteran head coach was seemingly looking to finish the Cardinals off when it wasn’t necessary. The Broncos already had a two-score lead, and Vance Joseph’s defense had halted the Cardinals offense all day.
It was a high-risk, high-reward play that didn't work, and now Waddle's injury will be a topic of conversation during the week. The 5-2 Broncos host the 5-1 Chiefs, who suffered their first loss of the season on Sunday Night Football, at Mile High on Sunday, Nov. 1.