Smith-Njigba had been limited Monday and Tuesday with an ankle injury on Seattle's estimated practice reports, and ESPN's game board still carried a questionable tag from Tuesday's listing. The Wednesday report update from Underdog is the newer signal for a short week. He leads Seattle with 37 catches for 583 yards and seven touchdowns, per ESPN.
The Broncos are thinner in the secondary. Safety Talanoa Hufanga is out with an ankle injury and is expected to miss multiple weeks, Adam Schefter and ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Wednesday. Fowler cited a source estimate of about two to three weeks. ESPN's Jeff Legwold reported that Hufanga did not practice on the short week, that Devon Key is expected to start alongside Brandon Jones, and that cornerback Pat Surtain II missed Sunday and will not play Thursday after an ankle sprain. ESPN still lists Surtain as doubtful and Riley Moss as questionable with ribs.
Seattle is also without running back Zach Charbonnet (knee), ruled out for Week 6. Coach Mike Macdonald had already said the team did not plan to play him Thursday, and Fowler noted a legitimate chance he debuts in Week 7. Emanuel Wilson has handled the lead work at 73 carries for 251 yards and two touchdowns. Linebackers Drake Thomas (ankle) and Chazz Surratt (calf) are out. Backup quarterback Drew Lock is questionable with a forearm issue.
Both teams are 3-2. Kickoff is 8:15 p.m. ET at Empower Field at Mile High on Prime Video. DraftKings has Seattle as a 2.5-point road favorite with a 40.5 total. Sam Darnold is 63 of 98 for 755 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions. Bo Nix is 97 of 162 for 942 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions. Jaylen Waddle leads Denver with 18 catches for 204 yards and a score. J.K. Dobbins has 64 carries for 229 yards and a touchdown.
Start Smith-Njigba, Wilson, Darnold in two-quarterback formats, Nix, Dobbins and Waddle. Sit Charbonnet. Monitor Moss before lock; if he sits, Denver's perimeter coverage thins further behind Surtain's absence.
