The Denver Broncos are relatively healthy entering their 2024 home opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and that includes starting left tackle Garett Bolles. However, one of the team's rookie receivers has been ruled out for the contest. 

Devaughn Vele, who caught all eight of his targets and led the team in receiving in Week 1, will miss the Week 2 game because of hurt ribs. Vele, a seventh-round pick in this year's draft, has continued to overachieve, but the team must turn to other options this Sunday. 

Troy Franklin told me he believes he will make his NFL debut on Sunday against the Steelers.

— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) September 13, 2024

One of those could be the player drafted well ahead of Vele, Troy Franklin. The Broncos traded up 19 spots in April's draft in order to select Franklin, the former Oregon teammate of Bo Nix. Franklin was all but absent in the preseason and was inactive for the team's game against the Seattle Seahawks, so his adjustment to the NFL is coming along slowly. 

Broncos must expand passing game in Week 2

Vele was the team's leading receiver in Week 2, but he had just 39 yards receiving on his eight catches. That is less than five yards per catch and indicates how unthreatening the passing offense was. 

In addition to Courtland Sutton and Josh Reynolds, the Broncos will need to include Marvin Mims Jr. and Franklin in the passing attack and that could lead to some shots down the field, which Nix needs to take. 

It was nice to see Nix complete 26 passes in his first career start, but the game plan was far too basic and safe. Hopefully, Sean Payton dials up some plays on Sunday that have a chance to be explosive. 

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