Denver’s Week 1 win came without Dre Greenlaw, whose quad issue kept him sidelined despite a three-year, $31.5M deal. Payton signaled he’ll be back sooner than later, which could sharpen Denver’s LB corps. Strnad and Singleton stepped up, helping limit the Titans to 133 total yards while Teammates prep for Week 2 at Indy and a visit from the Chargers.

Greenlaw’s absence allowed Talanoa Hufanga to debut as a Bronco, adding playmaking upside to the secondary. For fantasy managers, the takeaway is clear: monitor Greenlaw’s practice status, because his return would lift the defense’s tackling floor and overall fantasy upside in the coming weeks against tough foes like Colts and Chargers.

In Week 1, the defense showed depth and resilience even with Greenlaw out. If healthy, Greenlaw could re-anchor Denver’s front seven, boosting run defense and tackling opportunities for teammates. The Colts and Chargers games loom large for fantasy projections, with Ward’s rookie exposure underscoring the need for patience as Denver pieces together its Week 2 plan.