Denver placed Patrick (knee) on injured reserve Wednesday, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

As a result of the transaction, Patrick -- who suffered a torn ACL during Tuesday's practice -- isn't eligible to play during the 2022 season. In Patrick's absence, KJ Hamler, who is returning from a knee injury of his own, should have an opportunity to see an increased profile in the Broncos' offense behind the team's top wideout options, Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy.

Tests have reportedly revealed that Patrick suffered a torn ACL during Tuesday's practice, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

With Patrick now in line to miss the 2022 season, KJ Hamler -- who's bouncing back from a knee injury of his own -- is thus a candidate to see added pass-catching opportunities behind Denver's top wideout duo of Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy.

Patrick is scheduled for an MRI on his knee after leaving practice early Tuesday morning, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Patrick was carted off the field and didn't put any weight on his right leg. Coach Nathaniel Hackett confirmed after practice that the 6-foot-4 wideout is being evaluated for a knee injury. Fellow receiver KJ Hamler was just activated from the PUP list nearly 11 months after suffering a knee injury of his own and figures to see a bigger role if Patrick misses significant time, something Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports is a possibility.

Patrick was carted off the field Tuesday after suffering a possible knee injury, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Per Mike Klis of 9News Denver, Patrick wasn't putting weight on his right leg as he was helped into the trainer's room. If the wideout is forced to miss time, added opportunities would presumably be available for KJ Hamler, who is bouncing back from a knee injury of his own but was activated from the active/PUP list Monday.

The Broncos converted $6.9 million of Patrick's roster bonus to a signing bonus Friday to create roughly $4.6 million in salary cap space, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.

EDGE Analysis

Patrick's restructured deal comes just four months after he signed a three-year, $29.25 million contract with the Broncos in November. The additional salary cap room will allow Denver to remain active as the team looks to improve the roster heading into next season. The veteran wideout caught 53 of 85 targets for 734 yards and five touchdowns in 16 games last season. The acquisition of Russell Wilson at quarterback marks a significant upgrade at the position and should provide Patrick the opportunity to take a step forward in the offense in 2022.

Patrick brought in six of 10 targets for 95 yards in the Broncos' 28-24 loss to the Chiefs on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Patrick made a remarkable return from a one-game absence on the COVID-19 list, leading the Broncos in receptions, receiving yards and targets. The strong effort was a strong turnaround for Patrick in what had been a lackluster second half of the season, and his production allowed him to set a new career high in receptions (53) while falling just eight yards short of the career-best 742 receiving yards he'd recorded in 2020. Patrick now has consecutive 50-plus-catch campaigns, but he'll likely have to battle KJ Hamler (IR-knee) for the No. 3 receiver role in 2022.

Patrick (illness) has been activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

The same applies to Jerry Jeudy (illness), who also came of the list Wednesday, which sets the stage for the two players to return to action for Saturday's game against Kansas City, bolstering a wideout corps that was headed by Courtland Sutton in Week 17. With Teddy Bridgewater (concussion) on IR, the trio are in line to catch passes in Denver's season finale from QB Drew Lock, who's expected play through a shoulder issue this weekend.

Head coach Vic Fangio said that Patrick (illness) and none of the other Denver players who were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list since Tuesday will be available for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Among the 14 players currently on the COVID-19 list, Fangio is leaving the door open for only linebacker Andre Mintze and defensive lineman Mike Purcell -- who were deactivated Monday -- to return this weekend. Patrick is among the 12 other Denver players who will sit out Week 17 due to virus-related protocols, along with fellow wideout Jerry Jeudy. With Patrick and Jeudy sidelined and Courtland Sutton (illness) listed as questionable but at risk of sitting out Sunday, Denver could be down to Kendall Hinton, Diontae Spencer and practice-squad call-ups Travis Fulgham and Seth Williams as its options at receiver this weekend.

Patrick was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday and isn't expected to play this Sunday against the Chargers, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official website reports.

EDGE Analysis

Assuming Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy make it through the week healthy, the Broncos have Diontae Spence and Kendall Hinton as options for the No. 3 receiver role, in addition to the possibility of more playing time for talented backup tight end Albert Okwuegbunam. Patrick might technically have a shot to return by Sunday, but Broncos coach Vic Fangio doesn't expect that to happen.

Patrick (undisclosed) is in line to be placed on the reserve/ COVID-19 list, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

A transaction to confirm that outcome is thus looming and once that occurs, Patrick will need to clear the NFL's COVID protocols in order to be cleared to play again. Candidates to fill in for him as the Broncos' No. 3 WR are Kendall Hinton and Diontae Spencer.