Zach Allen Downplays Hamstring Scare, But Waddle's Exit Is the Real Worry
Allen says he'll be fine after leaving Sunday's win over Arizona, while Jaylen Waddle's fourth-quarter departure leaves fantasy managers sweating Week 8.
WR136 overall with no injury update — monitor his status before Week 8.
- Allen left late in Q4 with a hamstring injury
- Allen: 21 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 1 FF before Sunday
- Waddle also exited in the fourth quarter
- Waddle: 53 PPR pts over 6 games (2026)
- Waddle ranks WR51 on our board
Broncos defensive tackle Zach Allen limped off late in the fourth quarter against the Cardinals on Sunday after tweaking his hamstring, and he spent the rest of the game planted on the sideline. The good news for Denver: Allen told reporters afterward that he expects to be fine going forward, which is about the best outcome you can hope for with a soft-tissue scare.
Allen posted three tackles and three quarterback hits before exiting, modest numbers that undersell the season he's been building. He walked into Week 7 with 21 tackles, 4.5 sacks and a forced fumble — the kind of interior disruption that matters in IDP formats even if he barely registers in standard setups.
The bigger fantasy story wearing orange and blue, though, is wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, who also left the game in the fourth quarter. As of now there's no word on his condition heading into a Week 8 road trip, which is exactly the kind of silence that makes managers nervous on a Thursday waiver run.
Where Waddle Stands
Waddle has been a quiet piece of the Denver offense in 2026, logging 22 catches for 228 yards and a touchdown across six games — 53 PPR points on the season, tacking on 23 rushing yards for good measure. That output has him at WR136 on our board overall, No. 51 at the position. His last five games have run about 1.5 fantasy points above his season average, so there was at least a flicker of positive form before Sunday.
That flicker is the problem now. A WR51 with modest volume isn't a player you can afford to roster blind if his status drifts toward questionable or worse. If you're leaning on Waddle as a WR3 or flex, the absence of any update is a reason to start lining up a Plan B before kickoff.
Bottom line: Allen's self-assessment is encouraging, and IDP managers can keep him rostered with cautious optimism. Waddle is the one to track — hold him for now, but check his practice participation midweek. If he lands on the injury report without a clear trajectory, have a streamer ready to slot in.
