Broncos’ Courtland Sutton takes it ‘day by day’ as he endures worst statistical start since rookie season

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The last time Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton had so few receptions and yards through five games, it was 2020 and he was three weeks into his lengthy route back from a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered in that season’s Week 2 game at Pittsburgh.

Other than that, one must turn the pages back to his rookie season of 2018 for a time when he had so few catches over the opening five games of a campaign — and in that season, he had 56 more yards at this point in the season than he has now.

Sutton isn’t accustomed to fallow stretches like this. With 104 yards on 11 receptions, he’s averaging 20.8 yards per game. That puts him on a 354-yard pace.

But in the eyes of Broncos offensive coordinator Davis Webb, that doesn’t mean Sutton isn’t playing well.

“I think Court’s done a really good job,” Webb said. “There’s been multiple routes that he’s won intermediately. Just haven’t had a chance to get it to him. It’s an assortment of reasons.

“But he keeps hammering away. I’m sure that ball’s gonna find him soon.”

Nothing about the offense has been as productive as the Broncos hoped, and the fact that the team has its worst total-offense tally through five games in 34 years is evidence of to the extent of the issues.

But at least publicly, Sutton has maintained a patient presence.

“Day by day,” Sutton said. “That’s come to work every day, smile on my face, ready to work.

“You never know when the ball’s gonna find you, and I feel like the moment that you decide to take a step down — take a step away from it because things aren’t going the way you want them to go in that specific moment — that’s when you start to see failure creep in and doubt and and all these other negative emotions.”

BRONCOS OC DAVIS WEBB: SUTTON “SHOULD BE FRUSTRATED”

That being said, if Sutton did reveal any frustration with the circumstances, it would be understandable.

Fellow wide receiver Jaylen Waddle slammed his helmet at one point during last Sunday’s game; he, too, hasn’t been as productive as anyone connected with the Broncos would have hoped, although he’s averaging nearly twice as many yards per game so far this season (41) as Sutton.

No such outbursts have been seen from No. 14.

“I mean, he should be frustrated, because we need him to make plays,” Webb said, “and I think it’s coming right down the alley for him.”

But until then, Sutton will keep the smile on his face and stay even-keeled.

“[I’m] just staying prepared, staying ready, not allowing the circumstance to dictate my attitude, my effort, the way that I come to work and the way that I attack my days,” Sutton said.

“Just staying prepared so that when my number is called, I’m ready.”

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