Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton expressed relief Friday night after wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. suffered a right foot injury in the preseason finale against Minnesota. Mims, a two-time Pro Bowl selection and first-team All Pro returner in 2024, left the game on Denver's first possession after colliding with Vikings safety Jacob Thomas on an overthrown pass from quarterback Jarrett Stidham. Mims immediately grabbed his right foot and limped to the injury tent before heading to the locker room.

"With Mims, he's going to be fine, it's a bruise,'' Payton said after Denver's 34-6 win. "So we were really more just cautious with him." Mims was one of the few regulars Payton elected to play; the Broncos held out 30 players, including most starters. The fourth-year veteran, in the final year of his rookie deal, had missed several training camp practices with a lower body injury and recorded no catches or returns this preseason. He finished second in the league in punt returns last season at 15.6 yards per return.