Heartbreak for Broncos Fans: J.K. Dobbins Out for AFC Championship!
It's a tough blow for the Denver Broncos as their star running back, J.K. Dobbins, has been officially ruled out for the crucial AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots. This news comes as a disappointment, especially since Dobbins had been seen participating in limited practice sessions this week, sparking hope for his return.
Dobbins' journey back to the field has been a challenging one. He suffered a significant Lisfranc foot injury back on November 6th during a victory against the Las Vegas Raiders. Following surgery, the initial target for his return was the Super Bowl, should the Broncos advance that far. His ability to join team practices this week suggests he's progressing well and might still be on track for a potential Super Bowl appearance if Denver secures a win this Sunday. But here's where it gets tough for the AFC Championship – he won't be there to help them get there.
Before his injury, Dobbins was an absolute force. In just 10 games this season, he amassed 772 rushing yards and four touchdowns. His impressive yardage placed him fifth in the NFL at the time of his injury, and his 5 yards per carry average was seventh among running backs with at least 100 attempts. Even with missing the final seven games of the regular season, Dobbins still ended up as Denver's leading rusher, outgaining his rookie replacement, R.J. Harvey, by a substantial 232 yards. This highlights just how vital he was to the team's ground game. Before Dobbins went down, the Broncos were a formidable rushing team, averaging 128.6 yards per game (ninth in the league). However, after his injury, their rushing output dropped significantly to 104.6 yards per game, placing them 23rd in the NFL. And this is the part most people miss – the sheer impact of one player's absence on an entire team's performance.
With Dobbins sidelined, the responsibility on other running backs like R.J. Harvey and Jaleel McLaughlin will be even greater. In their recent win against the Buffalo Bills, they managed only 41 yards on 10 carries. Their role is likely to expand significantly in Sunday's game, especially with the Broncos starting Jarrett Stidham at quarterback. This is due to Bo Nix suffering a season-ending ankle injury during that divisional round victory.
On the receiving end, there's some positive news. Rookie wide receiver Pat Bryant will be available to play against the Patriots. Bryant, a third-round pick, has shown flashes of potential, catching a pass in each of his three snaps against the Bills. However, he also sustained a concussion after his last reception, marking his second head injury in the past month. Thankfully, he has cleared the league's concussion protocol after practicing in a limited capacity earlier in the week and then fully on Thursday and Friday. Meanwhile, fellow wide receiver Troy Franklin, who left the Bills game with a hamstring injury, is listed as questionable after limited practice.
In the trenches, Luke Wattenberg, the team's center, practiced in full this week for the first time since being placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury in Week 16. He is also listed as questionable. For Wattenberg to be activated, the Broncos would likely need to make a roster move, with Bo Nix being placed on injured reserve being the probable scenario. Backup center Alex Forsyth, who stepped in for Wattenberg, is also dealing with an ankle issue and is questionable. To add to the injury concerns, safety and key special teams player JL Skinner has been added to the injury report with a quad injury and is also questionable.
What are your thoughts on the Broncos' chances without J.K. Dobbins? Do you think Jarrett Stidham can lead them to victory? Let us know in the comments below!
