Devaughn Vele Injury News & Updates

Vele had one reception (on three targets) for 15 yards during Sunday's 17-7 win against Carolina.

Vele was expected to see more playing time after the Saints traded away their WR2 Rashid Shaheed on Tuesday. But the second-year wideout didn't see a corresponding uptick in targets. Four of New Orleans' pass-catchers logged three targets, including running backs Alvin Kamara and Devin Neal, along with tight end Foster Moreau. WR1 Chris Olave and TE1 Juwan Johnson led the team with eight and four targets, respectively. If New Orleans' offense continues to lean into their running backs and tight ends, then Vele doesn't figure to see much increase in production after this Shaheed trade. His next opportunity to play will be after the Saints' Week 11 bye week when they face Atlanta on Sunday, Nov. 23.

Vele should get more playing time after the Saints dealt Rashid Shaheed to the Seahawks on Tuesday, Nola.com's Luke Johnson reports.

Vele has merely been the No. 4 receiver in New Orleans, even though the Saints gave up a fourth-round pick to acquire him from Denver in August. He now figures to get more playing time alongside Chris Olave and Brandin Cooks, instead of coming off the bench to spell them from time to time. The Saints also have WR Mason Tipton, who took just two snaps in Sunday's loss at the Rams. Vele played 12 snaps (29 percent) and also finished without a catch or target, leaving him with just five catches for 36 yards (10 targets) across 152 snaps this season.

Vele compiled one reception (on five targets) for 10 yards during Sunday's 23-3 loss versus the Buccaneers.

Vele failed to capitalize on his season-high five targets. The 27-year-old has gone without a target in three of the seven games he's played so far this season. The Saints benched starting quarterback Spencer Rattler for rookie Tyler Shough in the third quarter, but they still finished with 51 passing attempts as a team. Regardless of who's under center for New Orleans, Vele and veteran wideout Brandin Cooks should continue to see limited targets while operating behind New Orleans' top three pass-catchers, Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed and tight end Juwan Johnson. The Saints' next game will be against the Rams in Week 8.

Vele hauled in all two targets for 13 yards during Sunday's 26-14 win versus the Giants.

Vele saw a slight uptick in playing time and targets compared to his last two outings, when he played 34 and six percent of offensive snaps in Week 2 and Week 4, respectively. The second-year wideout has had a much slower start with New Orleans than he did during his 2024 rookie campaign in Denver, where he logged 41 catches (on 55 targets) for 475 yards over 13 regular-season games. Vele's fantasy value will be suppressed so long as he operates as the WR4 behind Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed and Brandin Cooks, especially in the Saints' struggling passing offense.

Vele accrued zero targets during Sunday's 31-19 loss versus the Bills.

Vele missed the Saints' Week 3 loss to Seattle with a hip injury, and he was listed as questionable with a hamstring injury ahead of Sunday's matchup versus Buffalo. The 27-year-old played just four offensive snaps after he logged 17 in Week 1 and 24 in Week 2. Vele will look for more usage during the Week 5 contest versus the Giants on Sunday, Oct. 5; but, his fantasy value will remain extremely minimal so long as Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, Juwan Johnson and Brandin Cooks are healthy.

Vele (hamstring) is active for Sunday's game against the Bills, Ross Jackson of WWL Louisiana reports.

Vele was bothered by a hamstring injury that cost him Week 3, but he'll be back in the mix against the Bills. He earned only four targets through the first two contests of the season while in a rotational role. With Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed and Juwan Johnson all healthy, Vele is likely going to continue to struggle to find consistent targets.

Vele (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Bills, Ross Jackson of WWL Louisiana reports.

Vele missed last Sunday's game against the Seahawks and played just 28 percent of the offensive snaps across the Saints' first two contests, recording two catches for 16 yards and one touchdown on three targets. He has extremely minimal fantasy appeal.

Vele (hip) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Vele was unable to play against the Seahawks this past Sunday due to a hip issue. He has logged back-to-back limited practices to open the week, but he would likely avoid an injury tag heading into Sunday's game against the Bills if he were to fully participate in Friday's session.

Vele (hip) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday.

Vele was unable to play in Week 3 due to a nagging hip issue, and now his status for Week 4 is up in the air. If he's able to upgrade to full participation Thursday or Friday, he could avoid carrying an injury designation into the weekend.

Vele (hip) is inactive for Sunday's tilt against Seattle.

Vele logged a limited practice both Thursday and Friday due to a hip injury, and the issue is bothersome enough to keep out of Sunday's contest. The second-year wideout caught just two passes on four targets for 16 yards during the Saints' first two games, but his absence will nonetheless reduce the depth of the team's wideout corps. Mason Tipton could get more work on offense as a result.

Vele (hip) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Seattle, Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Vele was tacked on to the Saints' Week 3 practice report Thursday as limited due to a hip injury, and his status now is up in the air heading into the weekend. Since his trade from Denver to New Orleans on Aug. 20, he's been a part of the Saints offense through two games, increasing his snap share from 23 percent Week 1 to 34 percent this past Sunday. Still, Vele has seen just four targets on his way to two catches for 16 yards and one touchdown this season.

Vele (hip) was limited in practice Thursday.

Vele wasn't listed on Wednesday's injury report, an indication that his hip issue may have been sustained during Thursday's practice. The extent of Vele's activity level at Friday's practice may go a long way in determining his availability for Sunday's road game against the Seahawks. He brought in his only target for three yards and a touchdown Week 2 versus the 49ers.

Vele caught his only target for three yards and one touchdown during Sunday's 26-21 defeat versus the 49ers.

Vele logged a touchdown on just his second career catch for New Orleans, hauling in a pass on the goal line while running a quick slant out of the slot midway through the fourth quarter. The second-year wideout tied with No. 2 running back Kendre Miller for the team's sixth-most targets Sunday, as quarterback Spencer Rattler tossed at least 34 passes for the second week in a row. Vele has seen pretty limited work during his first two games in New Orleans, as there aren't many opportunities for production behind top wideouts Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed and tight end Juwan Johnson, as these three combined for 24 targets. Vele's limited fantasy value will likely depend on the amount of red-zone and goal-line targets that he sees going forward. His next opportunity will come versus the Seahawks on Sunday, Sept. 21.

Vele recorded one reception (on three targets) for 13 yards during Sunday's 20-13 defeat versus the Cardinals.

Vele didn't make much noise during his first game for New Orleans. The former Broncos wideout's first target didn't come until late in the third quarter, and he caught his first pass on the team's second-to-last drive of the game. His lack of production is pretty notable considering that quarterback Spencer Rattler tossed a career-high 46 passing attempts. Instead, nearly all of the targets went to Rattler's top three pass-catchers of Chris Olave (13), Rashid Shaheed (nine) and tight end Juwan Johnson (11). Veteran wideout Brandin Cooks also logged four targets. Vele will look to carve out a larger role for the Saints' Week 2 matchup versus San Francisco.

Vele isn't dressed for Saturday's preseason game against Denver, Ross Jackson of WWL Louisiana reports.

He won't face his former team, presumably needing more time to learn a new playbook and otherwise get acclimated after the Saints traded for him Wednesday. Vele presumably is expected to be the team's No. 3 wide receiver at some point, considering the Saints traded a 2026 fourth-round pick and 2027 seventh-round selection to acquire him.

The Broncos agreed to terms Wednesday on a deal that sends Vele to the Saints in exchange for a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick.

Vele is coming off a rookie season in which he compiled a 41-475-3 receiving line, working mostly as a slot specialist. That production is relatively impressive for a seventh-round pick who only suited up for 13 regular-season games in 2024, but with Denver's offseason additions to the receiving corps he'd now been working with the second-team offense throughout training camp. With New Orleans, Vele figures to benefit from a clearer path to slot snaps behind starting wideouts Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed and Brandin Cooks. He'll now have just under three weeks to build chemistry with quarterbacks Spencer Rattler, Tyler Shough and Jake Haener, though, while facing the task of picking up a new playbook in head coach Kellen Moore's complex offense.

Vele and Troy Franklin are listed as the second-string wideouts on Denver's initial preseason depth chart.

Third-round pick Pat Bryant, like all of Denver's other rookies, is listed at the end of the depth chart with fourth/fifth-stringers. Competition for playing time nonetheless appears open behind No. 1 receiver Courtland Sutton, with Marvin Mims (listed as a starter) arguably the favorite for the No. 2 role after his strong finish to last season. There's also been a lot of buzz about 2024 fourth-round pick Troy Franklin this summer, even though Vele outproduced him last season after being drafted three rounds later. Vele largely worked as a slot specialist last year, so he might be able to carve out a similar role even if he's not really in the mix for a large number of targets.

Vele failed to secure either of his two targets in Sunday's 31-7 wild-card loss to the Bills.

Vele failed to record a single catch for just the second time this season while playing just 22 of the Broncos 42 offensive snaps against this Bills, his lowest snap total of the campaign. Despite the rough ending, the wideout turned in a solid rookie season. Vele finished the year with 41 receptions on 55 targets for 475 yards and three touchdowns across 13 games. The 27-year-old should continue to develop in head coach Sean Payton's system while potentially earning an even larger role in the Broncos' passing attack in 2025.

Vele recorded four receptions on four targets for 50 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 38-0 win over the Chiefs.

Vele was overshadowed by Marvin Mims and Courtland Sutton, but he also made a key few plays in the game. His first contribution came on a three-yard touchdown catch in the back of the end zone that was deflected multiple times by both teams before ultimately being secured by Vele. He later set up Denver's fourth touchdown of the game with a 32-yard reception midway through the third quarter. Vele's role has faded in recent weeks, as he entered Sunday's game having failed to top 30 receiving yards in four straight matchups. Given the recent emergence of Mims, Vele could continue to see a more peripheral role in the Broncos' wild-card round matchup at Buffalo.

Vele caught both of his targets for 27 yards in Saturday's 30-24 loss to the Bengals.

Vele caught just two passes for the second straight week despite playing the second most offensive snaps (30) behind Courtland Sutton (56). In 12 appearances this season, the rookie wideout has recorded 37 catches on 51 targets for 425 yards and two touchdowns. Vele has proven to be a solid wide receiver in his first year, and his continued development will likely lead to him becoming a more consistent contributor in the Broncos' young receiver corps going forward. With that said, the Utah product remains a dicey start in a Week 18 matchup against the Chiefs based on his limited opportunities in Denver's offense.

Vele brought in two of three targets for 21 yards and a touchdown in the Broncos' 34-27 loss to the Chargers on Thursday night.

Vele would have had a very disappointing fantasy night overall if not for his six-yard touchdown grab in the second quarter. The score was certainly encouraging, but the 14-185-1 line on 18 targets Vele posted in Weeks 10-12 seems like an increasingly distant memory considering he's contributed just three receptions for 37 yards on eight targets in the last three contests. The rookie will have a favorable matchup with which to potentially bounce back in during Week 17, however, as the Broncos will face the porous Bengals defense on the road Saturday, Dec. 28.

Vele failed to secure his lone target in Sunday's 31-13 win over the Colts.

Vele was a complete non-factor in the game despite playing 38 of the Broncos' 63 offensive snaps, second among wide receivers behind Courtland Sutton (57). Week 15 marked the first time in which the rookie wideout was held without a catch in a contest this season. After a stretch of solid performances in the middle of the season, Vele has cooled down as of late, securing just one of five targets for 16 yards over the past two contests. The 27-year-old should continue to be extremely difficult to trust in the fantasy playoffs when the Broncos visit the Chargers in Week 16.

Vele caught one of four targets for 16 yards in Monday's 41-32 win over the Browns.

Vele's Week 13 performance was a major disappointment considering rookie quarterback Bo Nix threw for 294 yards against the Browns. Operating as the No. 2 wideout, Vele played 31 of the Broncos' 66 offensive snaps Monday, second in wide receiver snaps only to Courtland Sutton (62). The emerging rookie will look to bounce back against the Colts on Dec. 15 when the Broncos return from their Week 14 bye.

Vele brought in six of nine targets for 80 yards in Sunday's 29-19 win over the Raiders.

Vele finished a close second behind top wideout Courtland Sutton in all receiving categories, but the latter cashed in both of Bo Nix's passing touchdowns Sunday. The seventh-round rookie still managed to set a new career high in receiving yards despite not hitting pay dirt. Vele should be on the radar in deeper formats as the No. 2 option for an improving Bo Nix down the stretch, starting with a home matchup against the Browns on Monday Night Football next week.

Vele caught four of five targets for 66 yards in Sunday's 38-6 win over the Falcons.

Vele finished 12 receiving yards shy of Courtland Sutton's team-high total, though neither of them caught any of Bo Nix's four touchdown passes. This was the second-highest receiving yardage total of Vele's career, but the rookie has fallen short of 40 yards in five of seven career NFL appearances. Vele will turn 27 on Dec. 12, which likely contributed to his slide to the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft, but he has proven NFL-ready while carving out a meaningful role heading into a Week 12 road game in Vegas.

Vele caught all four of his targets for 39 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 16-14 loss to the Chiefs.

After a quiet performance in Week 9, Vele had a nice bounce-back performance against Kansas City while scoring his first career touchdown. The rookie wideout's 35 offensive snaps were the most he's played in six games thus far, so it's possible the developing chemistry between him and quarterback Bo Nix could continue to lead to more playing time for Utah product. Vele will look to build off his solid performance when the Broncos host the Falcons in Week 11.

Vele secured two of his three targets for 11 yards in Sunday's 41-10 loss to the Ravens.

Vele has earned three targets for the third-straight game, yet he continued to struggle to make much of his opportunities. In five games, the rookie wideout is averaging under four receptions per game for roughly 35 yards per contest. Vele played 29 of the Broncos' 72 offensive snaps Sunday, tied for third amongst wide receivers with fellow rookie Troy Franklin. The 26-year-old should continue to struggle for fantasy purposes as Denver's No. 4 receiver when the Broncos visit the Chiefs in Week 10.

Vele caught all three of his targets for 28 yards in Sunday's 28-14 win over the Panthers.

Vele played 34 percent of Denver's offensive snaps Sunday, his lowest snap percentage of the season. In four games, the rookie wideout is averaging four catches for roughly 41 yards per contest, while playing under 50 percent of snaps in all but one game. Vele has flashed his play-making potential since training camp, but has yet to make much of an impact during the 2024 campaign. With fellow rookie Bo Nix starting to take a step forward as a passer, its possible Vele could become more of a factor down the stretch. With that said, he'll continue to contend for targets with fellow wid receivers Courtland Sutton, Lil'Jordan Humphrey, Troy Franklin and Marvin Mims. The Broncos now head to Baltimore to square off against the Ravens in Week 9.

Vele secured one of three targets for 20 yards in the Broncos' 33-10 win over the Saints on Thursday night.

The rookie made an impact with his one catch, although his final line was underwhelming in comparison to his performance against the Chargers just four days prior. Vele had posted a 4-78 line on six targets in that contest, but in fairness, Bo Nix was required to do less in the passing game Thursday night than he did versus Los Angeles. Vele's production will likely remain difficult to trust week to week, but he'll draw a good matchup against the Panthers in a Week 8 home clash on Sunday, Oct. 27.

Vele caught four of six targets for 78 yards in Sunday's 23-16 loss to the Chargers.

Vele had been held out of the lineup since his pro debut back in Week 1 (8-39-0) despite maintaining good health for the majority of the time between his two appearances this season. Coaching decisions aside, the rookie seventh-rounder wound up tying No. 1 wideout Courtland Sutton for the team lead in targets and receptions Sunday. Vele's inconsistent playing time limits him from becoming a hot waiver add this time around, but deep-league managers might still want to take a look at the rookie if he is active for Thursday's tilt against New Orleans in Week 7.

Vele (coach's decision) is inactive Sunday against the Raiders.

Vele hasn't suited up since Week 1 when he caught all eight targets for 39 yards and played 49 percent of the team's snaps on offense in NFL debut. His next opportunity to get back on the field will be in Week 6 against the Chargers.

Vele (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Jets.

Vele surprisingly caught eight balls in Week 1 while playing just under half of the offensive snaps. However, he's since been sidelined due to a combination of a rib injury while also being a healthy scratch for the last two games. Troy Franklin has been the beneficiary, though he's tallied only two catches for 11 yards in the last two weeks.

Vele (ribs) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.

Vele caught all eight of his targets for 39 yards but suffered a rib injury during the regular-season opener in Seattle, which sidelined him for Week 2 against Pittsburgh. However, he returned to practice during Week 3 prep and didn't have an injury designation heading into Sunday. With the rookie seventh-round pick unavailable versus Tampa Bay, Josh Reynolds, Lil'Jordan Humphrey, Troy Franklin and Marvin Mims will compete for snaps behind No. 1 WR Courtland Sutton.

Vele (ribs) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game versus Tampa Bay and is expected to play.

The seventh-round rookie won a job out of training camp and played a prominent Week 1 role for coach Sean Payton, seeing action on 49 percent of the offensive snaps versus Seattle. He caught a team-high eight passes (on eight targets) for 39 scoreless yards but suffered a rib injury and missed last week's loss to the Steelers. Vele's return likely will push Lil'Jordan Humphrey and Marvin Mims back down the depth chart, with rookie Troy Franklin possibly heading back to the inactive list.

Vele (ribs) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

Vele failed to practice in any fashion last week before sitting out Denver's 13-6 loss to Pittsburgh. However, after opening Week 3 prep with a limited practice Wednesday and then taking every rep a day later, Vele looks on track to return to action Sunday at Tampa Bay. The rookie seventh-round pick served as Denver's No. 3 receiver in the Week 1 loss to the Seahawks, notching eight receptions for 39 yards on eight targets.

Vele (ribs) was limited at practice Wednesday. Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Vele missed all three practices last week before being ruled out for Denver's Week 2 loss to the Steelers. However, the wideout's return to a limited session Wednesday offers hope that he could potentially return to action Sunday against the Buccaneers. In Denver's season-opening loss to Seattle, the 2024 seventh-rounder caught all eight of his targets for 39 yards.

Vele (ribs) is participating in Wednesday's practice, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

Vele missed three straight practices before being ruled out for Denver's loss to the Steelers in Week 2, so even if he's limited, it's encouraging to see him back on the practice field. The rookie seventh-round pick caught all eight of his targets Week 1, so it would be a notable boost for the Broncos' passing offense to get him back on the field for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.

Vele (ribs) is ruled out for Sunday's game against the Steelers.

Vele missed three consecutive practices this week due to a ribs issue, so it's no surprise to see him officially ruled out on Friday's injury report. The rookie seventh-round pick impressed with an eight-catch NFL debut in Week 1, but he'll have to wait until at least Week 3 against the Buccaneers to continue building chemistry with quarterback Bo Nix.

Vele (ribs) remained sidelined for a third consecutive practice Friday, Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette reports.

Denver has yet to release Friday's official injury report, but Vele will almost certainly be on it, though it remains to be seen whether the rookie wide receiver will be listed as questionable, doubtful or out. After an eight-catch NFL debut in Week 1 against the Seahawks, Vele's unlikely to have a significant role if he plays at all Sunday against the Steelers.

Vele (ribs) didn't practice Thursday, Ryan McFadden of The Denver Post and Chris Tomasson of The Denver Gazette report.

Per Tomasson, Vele -- who also didn't practice Wednesday -- was spotted on a side field during Thursday's session. What the wideout is able to do Friday (if anything) will thus be telling with regard to his chances of playing Sunday against the Steelers. The 2024 seventh-rounder caught all eight of his targets for 39 yards in his NFL regular-season debut against the Seahawks in Week 1.

Vele (ribs) didn't practice Wednesday, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Vele's banged up after a surprisingly busy NFL debut in which the 2024 seventh-round draft pick caught all eight of his targets, albeit for only 39 yards. He'll have two more chances to upgrade his practice participation as he looks to avoid carrying an injury designation into Sunday's home opener against the Steelers.

Vele finished with eight receptions on as many targets for 39 yards in Sunday's 26-20 loss to Seattle.

Vele didn't do a whole lot with the short receptions, as Bo Nix struggled to get the ball downfield to his receivers in the one-score loss. The seventh-round rookie still stood out in the box score over Marvin Mims (no receptions) while tying Josh Reynolds in targets (eight) behind No. 1 wideout Courtland Sutton (12 targets). Vele's heavy involvement makes the rookie wideout a worthy target as we take an early look at waiver wire options in deeper leagues.

Vele "appears ready for game action" as a rookie, and his development is what ultimately led to his former teammate Tim Patrick's release, Nick Kosmider of The Athletic reports.

Vele impressed throughout the summer, and according to Kosmider, was the "surprise star of camp" that was "good for at least one daily highlight play." Though Patrick's release came as a bit of a surprise, it was Vele's growth that ultimately allowed the Broncos' coaching staff to move on from the veteran. At 6-foot-5, 210 pounds, Vele fits the mold of a bigger, physical wide receiver that the Broncos want on their roster as they try to establish a strong rushing attack. Head coach Sean Payton praised the rookie for his versatility, calling him an "outstanding blocker." Despite entering his first season as an pro, the 26-year-old Utah product appears like he could be in line to see playing time as a depth option in a receiver corps headlined by Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims and Josh Reynolds.

Vele (undisclosed) returned to practice Wednesday, Ryan McFadden of The Denver Post reports.

Vele was held out of Sunday's preseason game against the Packers with an undisclosed injury, but it now appears he's moved past the issue. Now that rookie out of Utah is back at full health, he's expected to compete for a depth role in the Denver's WR room as the preseason progresses.

Vele (undisclosed) was held out of Friday's practice, but head coach Sean Payton said he's "fine and might play Sunday," Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.

Vele's injury has yet to be disclosed, but Payton's notion about him possibly playing Sunday against Green Bay is promising news. The 6-foot-4 wide receiver out of Utah has no time to lose right now during training camp, as he competes for a spot in Denver's receiver rotation.