We knew the Denver Broncos can be with out beginning working again J.Okay. Dobbins after he had been dominated out on Friday. We even knew {that a} stint on injured reserve was in consideration.
Nevertheless, ESPN’s Adam Schefter experiences that Dobbins is coping with a major ligament situation in his foot that — per the opinions of a number of consultants — would require season-ending surgical procedure.
“Dobbins sustained the damage on a hip-drop sort out in the course of the Broncos’ Thursday evening win in opposition to the Raiders. Set to turn into a free agent after the 12 months, Dobbins was fifth within the league in speeding and is anticipated to make a full restoration,” Schefter reported.
He has certainly been positioned on IR and can stay there for the remainder of the common season.
Tom Pelissero of NFL Network experiences that there’s nonetheless a chance Dobbins might return after the common season ends, although it will probably require the group to make it to the Tremendous Bowl. Pelissero particulars that Dobbins’ damage didn’t embody a fracture however only a small tear, and the projected timeline for the restoration of that prognosis would see him coming again in time for the league’s closing sport of the season.
J.Okay. Dobbins has had an injury-marred profession
Since getting drafted by the Ravens within the second spherical of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Ohio State, accidents have been an enormous a part of Dobbins’ NFL story. As a rookie splitting time with Mark Ingram and Gus Edwards, Dobbins led the room with 805 speeding yards and 9 speeding touchdowns whereas sporting a powerful 6.0 yards per carry. Earlier than his sophomore marketing campaign might get began, he was sidelined for the season with a torn ACL, which he suffered within the group’s closing preseason sport.
Returning to the sphere two weeks into the 2022 season, Dobbins took over as RB1. After solely 4 video games again, Dobbins suffered one other knee damage and was positioned on IR for the second time. He was activated later within the 12 months and delivered 4 robust performances to complete the season averaging 5.7 yards per carry. In 2023, the worst occurred as soon as once more. Within the Baltimore’s season opener, Dobbins left the sport with a torn Achilles tendon, resulting in his third IR placement and his second season-ending surgical procedure.
Leaving Baltimore with the expiration of his rookie deal, Dobbins landed with the Chargers, beating out Edwards — who additionally left Baltimore for L.A. — for the beginning job because of an enormous Week 1 efficiency. Dobbins confirmed some sturdiness for the primary time since his rookie 12 months, beginning the primary 12 video games of the season earlier than a matchup together with his former group noticed him undergo an MCL sprain. He was positioned on IR (for the fourth time) for 4 video games however was in a position to return to shut out the season.
Now in Denver, Dobbins has performed in all 10 video games for the Broncos this 12 months. The foot damage information popped up this week, and the brand new particulars verify the worst: Dobbins can be positioned on IR for the fifth time in six years and can bear his third season-ending surgical procedure. As soon as once more exhibiting his mettle with a robust season this 12 months, Dobbins had Denver considering an extension earlier than the damage sidelined him. The Broncos will now must issue his damage historical past much more into any issues regarding a brand new contract.
Who can change J.Okay. Dobbins for the Broncos?
Thankfully for the Broncos, they nonetheless roster second-round rookie RJ Harvey. For essentially the most half, all through his rookie season, Harvey has performed a significant second fiddle to Dobbins, however he has displayed some robust potential with huge performs right here and there each on the bottom and thru the air. He’ll probably take the lead out of the backfield with Dobbins out, however Tyler Badie and Jaleel McLaughlin each stay on the roster with him, and McLaughlin boasts a powerful quantity of backup expertise.
Taking Dobbins’ place on the roster can be linebacker Garret Wallow, who’s being activated from IR after being designated to return earlier this week. The Broncos are additionally signing cornerback Reese Taylor from the apply squad to the 53-man roster, waiving vast receiver Trent Sherfield to make room, and veteran tight finish Marcedes Lewis and linebacker Jordan Turner can be referred to as up as normal game-day practice-squad elevations. This can be Lewis’ third such elevation, so the Broncos might want to signal him to the energetic roster if they need him to seem in any video games after this week.
