Heuerman (hamstring) is questionable for Thursday's regular-season opener against Carolina.

EDGE Analysis

Heuerman returned to practice as a limited participant Tuesday, then repeated the feat at Wednesday's session. His inability to log a full practice puts his availability in serious doubt, but it shouldn't be too much of an issue for the Broncos. Virgil Green is listed atop the depth chart, followed by Heuerman and John Phillips, in that order.

Heuerman (hamstring) got his first practice work since injuring his hamstring on Aug. 17, the Broncos' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

The injury, coupled with missing the entirety of his rookie season with a torn ACL, cost Heuerman a shot at the Broncos' starting tight end job, which went to Virgil Green. The team deployed plenty of multiple tight end looks in the preseason, however, and head coach Gary Kubiak is known for featuring the tight end in his offense. Being relegated to No. 2 won't necessarily prevent Heuerman from producing.

Heuerman (ankle) did not practice Monday.

EDGE Analysis

At this stage, coach Gary Kubiak expects the tight end to be ready for Thursday's game against Carolina. Heuerman is currently listed as the Broncos' second-team tight end behind Virgil Green, thus making him a speculative fantasy play until he gets some NFL regular season action under his belt. After being taken in the third round of the 2015 NFL draft, Heuerman's rookie season was derailed by a May knee injury that landed him on IR.

Heuerman (hamstring) returned to practice Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Heuerman's hamstring has been nagging him for the past several weeks, but it finally appears that things are heading in the right direction. The 23-year-old was expected to push for the starting job at the beginning of camp, but his ailment has kept him from proving his ability. Coach Gary Kubiak has not decided whether Heuerman will play in Denver's preseason finale Thursday, but the team remains optimistic that Heuerman will be able to carve out some type of role in the offense this season.

Heuerman (hamstring) isn't expected to suit up for Saturday's preseason game versus the Rams, Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

After tearing his ACL in May of 2015, hamstring troubles continue to plague Heuerman in his first go-around at training camp. With offseason pickup Garrett Graham (shoulder) also on the pine, Virgil Green has emerged as the clear-cut No. 1 tight end in Denver.

Heuerman (hamstring) did not partake in practice Thursday, but he was spotted working with the team's strength and conditioning coach on the sideline, Andrew Mason of denverbroncos.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

At just 23-years-old, Heuerman has already endured a career's worth of injuries. Whether it be last year's torn ACL that cost him the entirety of his rookie season or this year's uncooperative hamstring, the Ohio State product has been unable to stay on the field. Despite his absence, coach Gary Kubiak remains optimistic that Heuerman will be able to contribute in some fashion this season.

Heuerman did not practice Wednesday with a hamstring issue, Troy Renck of Denver7 reports.

EDGE Analysis

The severity of Heuerman's injury is unclear, but head coach Gary Kubiak didn't seem too concerned with his long-term health. In Heuerman's absence, Virgil Green and Henry Krieger-Coble received the entirety of first-team reps.

Heuerman is sharing the top spot at tight end with Virgil Green, the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Broncos spent a 2015 third-round pick on Heuerman after investing in the position in free agency, so there is clearly something the team likes about him. Though he missed all of the season due to a torn ACL, he did get to work with Peyton Manning during his rehab and has drawn positive reviews. His competitor, Green, has been a valuable blocker over the years - but has never developed as a receiver. If Heuerman, who caught just 52 passes in his career at Ohio State, can show some promise in that department, it could make the difference between starting and backing up Green.

Coach Gary Kubiak indicated that Heuerman has recovered from the torn ACL that he suffered last May, adding that the tight end isn't expected to be limited in the Broncos' OTAs this April.

EDGE Analysis

Selected by the Broncos 92nd overall in the 2015 NFL Draft, Heuerman is now in line to compete for slotting on the team's tight end depth chart this coming season, with Owen Daniels, Virgil Green and Richard Gordon also under contract for 2016. While it may be a little premature to dub Heuerman a fantasy sleeper, the 6-foot-5, 255-pounder out of Ohio State does have potential to make a mark in the Denver offense this coming season, with fellow TE Vernon Davis slated to become a free agent next month.

Heuerman tore his ACL in Saturday's afternoon practice and is expected to miss the entire 2015 season. The Broncos' third-round pick will likely have to wait until 2016 to make an impact on his new team. He was apparently running full speed down the middle of the field on a special-teams drill when he made a cut and his knee gave way. Owen Daniels, Virgil Green and James Casey are the remaining options at tight end going forward.