According to the NFL Networks lead insider Ian Rapoport, Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins will be out for this Sundays game vs. the Chiefs and for the foreseeable future. He adds that Dobbins is dealing with a significant foot injury and that a stint on the injured reserve is possible for the veteran running back.
Dobbins suffered a foot injury during the Broncos victory over the Raiders last week on Thursday Night Football. He blamed the Raiders for doing an illegal hip-drop tackle on him, which led to the injury, but it was not called by the refs during the game. Despite suffering a significant foot injury, Dobbins returned to the game and helped the offense close out the game and get the victory.
Now, with Dobbins likely sidelined for an extended period of time, the Broncos will need rookie R.J. Harvey and the rest of the backs on the roster to step up. Dobbins was having the best season of his career this season, and his loss is a significant blow to an already struggling Broncos offense.
The next man up will be rookie R.J. Harvey, whom the team selected in the second round of the NFL Draft earlier this year. He has been playing behind Dobbins all season, but will now be thrust into a starting role as the Broncos progress into the second half of the season and look to make a deep postseason run.
We heard Sean Payton, quarterback Bo Nix, and wide receiver Courtland Sutton all praise Harvey publicly this week, but now, he will need to step up in a big way with Dobbins sidelined. His first test will come against the Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday, which is a bit of a must-win game for both teams. The Broncos sit at 8-2 and are hoping to extend their AFC West lead, while the Chiefs sit at 5-4, out of the playoffs, and are looking to ignite a second-half run to get them back into the AFC West and the postseason.
While all eyes will be on R.J. Harvey, the other Broncos backs will need to step up. Id anticipate Jaleel McLaughlin will once again be a key part of the rushing attack moving forward, with Tyler Badie also contributing on third downs. All three will need to step up and contribute moving forward if the Broncos want to have success on offense while Dobbins is sidelined.
Their first test will come this Sunday, and hopefully, we will see Harvey and the rest of the Broncos runners step up and lead this offense to a big win over the Chiefs.