ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Wide receiver Tim Patrick, who has been on injured reserve since suffering a hand injury against the Raiders, returned to practice on Wednesday.

Patrick is eligible to return to the active roster for the Broncos' Week 11 game against the Vikings.

The Broncos, who were required to designate Patrick as one of their players to return when he started practicing, must activate him to the 53-man roster within 21 days. If the 21-day practice period ends and the Broncos do not activate him, Patrick is ineligible return to the Broncos' active roster for the rest of the season.

Patrick was not given an injury status for Wednesday's practice because he is not on the active roster.

"Getting Tim back is going to be really big for our room," wide receiver Courtland Sutton said. "Tim's a guy who before he got hurt was doing a little bit of everything from special teams, making plays for us in the run game and making plays for us in the pass game. He brings another threat. He's a big, fast, tall guy just like myself. Bringing him and adding him to the mix of our receiver core is going to be really big, really huge. I know not only myself but the coaches and Brandon [Allen]'s going to be excited to get him back whenever we get him back."

Tackle Ja'Wuan James (knee) and tight end Jeff Heuerman (knee) were held out of practice.

"I think Ja'Wuan's 50-50 as it applies to this week," Fangio said. "He won't practice today. Heuerman is kind of in the same boat, maybe a little bit less than 50-50."

Both players exited during Sunday's game against the Colts.

Joe Flacco (neck), Bryce Callahan (foot), Todd Davis (knee/hip), Von Miller (knee), Corey Nelson (biceps) and Will Parks (hand) also did not practice.