For first time since suffering broken hand in Game 1 vs OAK, WR Tim Patrick started catching the ball yesterday and today.

The tweet went on to say Patrick still has not received word he will start practicing tomorrow with intention to be activated on 53-man roster after next week's bye. For now, Patrick remains buried down the Broncos fantasy depth chart.

Despite the uncertainty of Emmanuel Sanders’ injury, Broncos’ general manager John Elway did not reinforce the receiver position by bringing in a proven veteran or two. Why? Elway wanted to give his young core receivers – Courtland Sutton, DaeSean Hamilton and Tim Patrick – room to grow.

Sutton, as the most talented of the young trio, is the key. Based on his offseason work with Flacco, Sutton does have a great chance to meet his own expectations and become the team’s No. 1 receiver.

The story said the team didn't have the money to add to the group of WRs after spending on other positions. And so the Broncos’ receiver group must count on the healthy return of Sanders and the continued improvement of Sutton, Hamilton and Patrick in year two.

John Elway said the Broncos “were not hell bent" on trading Demaryius Thomas, but the bottom line is they simply want Courtland Sutton to play more. And sitting at 3-5 at the season’s halfway point, Elway said the time is now.

Sutton leads the Broncos wide receivers with a 19.1 yards-per-catch average and has already proven himself to be a difficult matchup for opposing defensive backs, especially in contested-pass situations. Recently Broncos coach Vance Joseph summed up the reason to throw the ball Sutton’s way with “it’s either a big play down the field or a penalty on the guy who’s covering him."

Related players: DaeSean Hamilton, Tim Patrick

While all the hype is obviously around Sutton, and with good reason, he should get a huge boost in fantasy value with the departure of Thomas, but, guys like Hamilton and Patrick also have a chance to see increased playing time.