Ends second season on IR

Butt caught eight of 12 targets for 85 yards in 2018.

Analysis: After essentially red-shirting as a rookie -- still recovering from a torn ACL suffered in the Orange Bowl -- Butt lasted just three games in his sophomore campaign before suffering another torn ACL in practice. When he was on the field, Butt drew praise from teammates and coaches in practice and looked to be building a solid rapport with Case Keenum in games. Assuming he regains his health, he looks to be the best of a large collection of young, unestablished options at Denver's disposal. One…read more

Placed on IR

Butt (knee) has been placed on injured reserve, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Since joining the league last season, Butt has already suffered two torn ACLs -- last season in his right knee and now in his left. In a corresponding move, the Broncos added tight end Brian Parker to their active roster from the practice squad. Look for Jeff Heuerman to see increased snaps with Butt now out.

ACL tear confirmed

An MRI has confirmed that Butt will miss the remainder of the season due to a torn left ACL, NFL.com reports.

Analysis: Butt missed his rookie season in 2017 while recovering from an ACL tear to his right knee that he suffered college. Now that he's out for the year, fellow tight end Jeff Heuerman is in line for added targets in the Denver offense moving forward.

May have torn ACL

The Broncos fear that Butt (knee) suffered a torn ACL, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: It's reportedly a non-contact injury he suffered during a walk-through. If this brutal news is confirmed, Butt will be done for the season and fellow tight end Jeff Heuerman's profile in the Denver offense would figure to expand.

Limited by knee issue

Broncos head coach Vance Joseph said Butt was a limited participant in Thursday's practice due to a left knee injury, Zac Stevens of BSNDenver.com reports.

Analysis: It looked like Butt would be a spectator for the Broncos' first practice of the week after he wasn't on the field with the rest of his teammates for the start of the session, but it appears he fit in some work behind closed doors. The fact that he was able to practice in some capacity seemingly bodes well for his chances of playing Monday against the Chiefs, though Joseph noted the Broncos' training staff is continuing to evaluate the knee injury. On a more fortunate note, Butt's injury isn't…read more

Sitting out practice

Butt wasn't on the field for the start of the Broncos' practice Thursday, Zac Stevens of BSNDenver.com reports.

Analysis: Butt wasn't believed to have endured any health-related setbacks during Sunday's 27-14 loss to the Ravens, but his presence on the sideline Thursday suggests he may have picked up an injury. Denver will provide an official explanation behind Butt's absence when it releases initial injury report shortly after practice concludes.

Held to eight yards

Butt pulled in two of three targets for eight yards during Sunday's 27-14 loss in Baltimore.

Analysis: It was Butt's weakest outing thus far, but he still looks like the Broncos tight end to have on your deep-league squad. Through three games, Butt has eight catches on 13 targets compared to five catches on eight targets for starter Jeff Heuerman. Neither option has been particularly effective, yet Butt seems to be climbing a bit as he logged more than half the offensive snaps for the first time this season, 41 to 35 behind Heuerman. It should be interesting to see whether the two trade places…read more

Snags four passes

Butt reeled in four of six targets for 48 yards during Sunday's 20-19 win over the Raiders.

Analysis: Facing second-and-10 with just over a minute remaining, Case Keenum dropped back and found Butt for a 14-yard gain, pushing the Broncos offense to midfield on their way to a comeback win. For the second consecutive week, Butt delivered a key reception during a game-winning scoring drive. He might be the team's No. 2 tight end, but he has over twice as many targets as starter Jeff Heuerman through two games.

Ties for second in targets

Butt hauled in four of six targets for 48 yards Sunday in the Broncos' 20-19 win over the Raiders.

Analysis: Though he only played 26 of a possible 66 offensive snaps, Butt was a go-to option for quarterback Case Keenum whenever he was on the field, finishing tied for second on the team in targets. Jeff Heuerman started and out-snapped Butt for the second straight week, but he's filled mostly a blocking role for the Broncos thus far. Butt will need to eat further into Heuerman's snap count to improve his season-long outlook, but it's clear the 2017 fifth-round pick is the superior pass-catching threat…read more

Puts up 29 yards

Butt snatched two of four targets for 29 yards during Sunday's 27-24 win over the Seahawks.

Analysis: With the Broncos behind and facing third and long, Case Keenum found Butt for a 22-yard catch-and-run, setting up the game-winning score. There was little clarity as to who would start at tight end for Denver. Jeff Heuerman seems to be the guy for now, logging 60 snaps to Butt's 36. Butt's four targets were three more than Heuerman's, however, in a situation in which the backup might be more valuable from a fantasy perspective than the starter.

No targets again

Butt appeared in Saturday's preseason game against the Bears but was not targeted in the passing game.

Analysis: For someone who's known for his receiving prowess, Butt carries a concerning lack of involvement as a receiver through two preseason games. Then again, it's only the preseason, and no other Broncos tight end has made more of a name for himself through the air in practice this summer. Butt, who sat out the entire 2017 season recovering from a torn ACL, will look to record his first catch as a professional during Denver's third preseason game next Friday against the Redskins.

No targets in preseason opener

Butt suited up for Saturday's preseason opener against the Vikings but was not targeted in the passing game.

Analysis: Butt, the No. 2 tight end on the initial preseason depth chart, drew the start with Jeff Heuerman (knee) sitting this one out. However, Butt didn't see a single pass come his way before the Broncos' pulled their first-string offense from the game, making it hard for him to show why he should be considered Denver's top pass-catching tight end. His next chance to bolster his bid for the No. 1 role in live action will come next Saturday against the Bears.

Could earn key role

Butt is making his case for a role as the Broncos' top pass-catching tight end, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.

Analysis: A fifth-round pick last year, Butt took a redshirt on his rookie season after suffering a torn ACL in the Orange Bowl. He now finds himself in a wide-open competition for playing time at tight end, with Jeff Heuerman (knee) and Austin Traylor also getting regular practice reps with the first-string offense. Butt has the highest ceiling of the three as a pass catcher, but he'll have a hard time establishing fantasy value if he's part of a committee. He's been a full participant at training camp…read more

Butt says he hasn't had any issues with his surgically repaired right knee since last season, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: Butt tore the ACL in his right knee twice while he was at the University of Michigan, with the second incident occurring in the Orange Bowl at the end of his senior season. Previously viewed as a likely second- or third-round pick, Butt fell to the fifth round (No. 145 overall) of last year's draft, ultimately landing with a team that had a clear need at his position. He began practicing in mid-October and initially was targeting a late-season debut, but the Broncos placed him on injured…read more

The Broncos are hoping Butt will develop into a red-zone threat for new starting quarterback Case Keenum, Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post reports.

Analysis: Butt is seemingly ready to roll health-wise after redshirting his rookie season due to a torn ACL he suffered during his final collegiate game in January of 2017. With Virgil Green joining the divisional-rival Chargers, the 22-year-old is left No. 2 on the depth chart behind Jeff Heuerman, though Butt is the more talented receiver between the two and should have plenty of opportunities to carve himself a role. With that said, Denver still is believed to be in the market for explosive pass…read more

Head coach Vance Joseph said Butt (knee) should be "full go" for OTAs, Zac Stevens of BSN Denver reports.

Analysis: Butt wound up spending his entire rookie season on the Broncos' non-football injury list after tearing his ACL in January 2017 during his final game at the University of Michigan. Once regarded as a possible early-round draft choice, the 2017 fifth-rounder has the potential to become a fantasy asset in 2018, particularly if Denver doesn't add another receiving specialist to its tight end group.

Broncos head coach Vance Joseph said Monday that Butt (knee) would be placed on season-ending injured reserve, Zac Stevens of BSNDenver.com reports.

Analysis: Butt opened the season on the Broncos' Non-Football Injury list while still recovering from an ACL tear he suffered in January during Michigan's bowl game. The tight end was recently cleared to practice with the Broncos, but after experiencing recurring soreness in the knee, the organization decided it was best to hold him out for the entire 2017 campaign. Given the severity of Butt's injury, the Broncos were never expecting him to contribute much as a rookie, but with another offseason to heal…read more

Butt (knee) is still experiencing soreness in his surgically repaired knee, Nicki Jhabvala of The Denver Post reports.

Analysis: Butt has been dealing with the issue since resuming practice in mid-October and doesn't seem all that close to being 100 percent. The Broncos have until Monday to activate the rookie tight end or he will remain on the Non-Football Injury list for the remainder of the season. The team apparently still hopes the 22-year-old can contribute this season, but it seems unlikely he'll be a major contributor with the lingering knee soreness, even if he is activated.