Denver Broncos wide receiver Josh Reynolds is reportedly “shaken up” after being shot last Friday in Glendale, Colorado, according to head coach Sean Payton.
“He’s fortunate… I’ve spoken with him, and he’s pretty shaken up, but I’ll leave it at that,” Payton told reporters following the Broncos’ Friday practice. Payton also mentioned that counseling services were available to players on the team.
Reynolds, who has been on injured reserve since undergoing finger surgery earlier this month, returned to team activities this week, ESPN’s Jeff Legwold reported.
According to police documents, Reynolds was shot in the left arm and in the back of the head outside a strip club early Friday morning. The Broncos issued a statement on Thursday confirming Reynolds “received treatment for minor injuries.”
“Out of respect for the legal process, we will defer further comment on this matter to the authorities,” the team said in the statement.
Payton added that both the NFL and local law enforcement are “handling” the situation.
On Wednesday, Denver police announced the arrests of Burr Charlesworth and Luis Mendoza in connection with the shooting but indicated they were still “working to identify additional possible suspects.”
According to Legwold, Reynolds and two other men were leaving the club in an SUV when they were followed by several vehicles, and shots were fired at them. The group later told police they were pursued onto the highway by up to four vehicles before their car broke down, forcing them to flee on foot, as reported by 9News’ Janet Oravetz, Kevin Vaughan, and Mike Klis.
Police confirmed that Reynolds and another man were transported to the hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries following the shooting.
The incident took place on the same night as the Broncos’ Week 7 game in New Orleans. Reynolds did not travel with the team because he was on injured reserve. According to the AP’s Arnie Melendrez Stapleton, Reynolds had been working out on a side field during practices leading up to Week 8.
Reynolds, who signed a two-year, $9 million deal with the Broncos this offseason, had recorded 12 receptions for 183 yards and a touchdown before suffering his finger injury in Week 5. He had also been previously listed on the injury report with an Achilles issue.
