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Jeff Legvold
ENGLEWOOD, Colo.–It turned out denver broncos rushing back jk dobbins‘ There were hopes he could help revive the team’s offense, but that didn’t happen, as the sixth-year player was placed on injured reserve, the team announced Saturday.
Sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that the move would likely end Dobbins’ season if the Broncos do not reach the Super Bowl.
Dobbins suffered the injury in the third quarter of last week’s 10-7 win las vegas raiders And his surgery has also been done. He said he believed the injury occurred on a hip-drop tackle, which is not allowed in league rules, but after the game he felt he was “fine” and expected good news from the team’s medical staff.
But Dobbins, who is playing on a one-year contract, had not practiced since the injury as he and the team gathered information, while coach Sean Payton said going on injured reserve was one of the possible outcomes.
That means the Broncos (8-2) will be without their leading rusher when they face him on Sunday. kansas city chiefs Mile High and beyond at Empower Field. Sources told ESPN’s Schefter on Saturday that Dobbins could be available to return if the Broncos are to advance to the Super Bowl on Feb. 8.
After the win over the Raiders, Dobbins, who has 772 yards rushing on 5.05 yards per carry this season, said he wanted to be part of the solution to the team’s offensive struggles. Dobbins is one of nine running backs with enough carries to qualify who have averaged at least 5 yards per carry this season.
Dobbins said of the team’s offense after the win, “This is probably the best team I’ve been involved with, and we owe it to our fan base for that, we owe it to ourselves to stop playing the way we’ve been playing.” “We’ve got to do better; we’ve just got to do better. Ultimately it’s going to hurt us badly. And it’s not what I want, it’s not what my teammates want and we’re going to fix it.”
Dobbins’ 21 runs of at least 10 yards this season are fifth-most in the league.
Dobbins injury now puts spotlight on rookie RJ HarveySecond-round pick by the Broncos last April. Harvey has 50 carries for 214 yards with 25 receptions and has the team’s longest rush this season – a 50-yard rush against tennessee titans In week 1.
“Definitely excited to show off my running ability… [but] whatever coach [Payton] “I want to do it, I’m willing to do it,” Harvey said after practice Friday.
He added, “Sunday is going to be fun.”
In addition to his work as a runner this season, Dobbins was considered by the Broncos’ coaches to be the most reliable running back in pass protection and was generally the go-to pick in those situations, especially in tight games.
The Broncos will also likely have Jaleel McLaughlin And tyler baddie Even in rotation. Badie has played in some personnel groups when the Broncos are in up-tempo looks as well as some long-yardage situations.
McLaughlin, who topped 400 yards rushing in each of the last two seasons after making the roster as an undrafted rookie in 2023, has one carry this season — against New York Jets In week 6.
[McLaughlin] Ready,” Peyton said. “It would be difficult to play for two seasons and then be inactive. He’s one of those guys. He’s the first one in the building… He’ll go in [practice] The script, and then work out and then have breakfast when people are arriving.”
Dobbins is one of three Broncos starters who will not play in Sunday’s game. linebacker alex singletonThe team’s leading tackler, and reigning Defensive Player of the Year. Pat Surtain II Also rejected on Friday.
Singleton had surgery on Monday to remove a cancerous tumor from a testicle, and Surtain will miss his third game because of a pectoral injury. Overall, the Broncos’ injury report is more extensive for the matchup with the Chiefs than most of the season. outside linebacker jonah ellis (hamstring), who is a rotational pass rusher and tight end on defense Nate Adkins (Knee) has also been ruled out.
The good news about the Broncos’ injury is that wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr.., a two-time Pro Bowl selection as a returner, has practiced all week and is ready to play against Kansas City after missing two games due to injury.
