The status of veteran running back J.K. Dobbins looms large over the Denver Broncos ahead of their Week 10 showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs. Dobbins injured his foot in Week 10 on “Thursday Night Football” against the Las Vegas Raiders.
He was seeking a second opinion after initially downplaying the severity, and the Broncos are considering putting him on injured reserve, which would mean missing four games.
However, he may have already cleared one preliminary but still significant obstacle.
J.K. Dobbins Avoids Injured Reserve in Broncos’ Roster Moves
GettyJ.K. Dobbins #27 of the Denver Broncos reacts after the 21-17 win against the Philadelphia Eagles.
DNVR’s Zac Stevens noted the “important timelines” to monitor regarding Dobbins’ health, emphasizing that the Broncos did not place the veteran tailback on IR at their first opportunity, “clearing one hurdle.”
Stevens’ next steps were Dobbins’ practice participation and Denver’s activity on Saturday.
“If he doesn’t go on IR on Saturday, then great sign he won’t,” Stevens posted on X on November 11. “If he practices this week, a good sign he could play against the Chiefs.”
That would all be a great sign for Dobbins, who signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Broncos in free agency this past offseason. He also has an extensive injury history, including tearing his Achilles, and two major knee issues.
Dobbins, 27, is fifth in the NFL in carries and rushing yards through 10 weeks.
On a busy day of Broncos transactions, their decision to refrain from putting Dobbins on IR appears promising. However, there is a conflicting potential timeline.
KOA’s Benjamin Allbright posted on X that injuries such as Dobbins’ are “typically a 4 to 6 week” recovery, but that “some people can heal a little faster.” Allbright also noted the significance of the week to follow and offered a potential way Dobbins can play through the injury.
It would involve putting a “carbon fiber insert” in Dobbins’ show, depending on swelling and pain.
“You don’t wanna lock yourself out of your best offensive weapon for a couple of games if you can avoid it,” Allbright posted on November 11. “And you’ve got time to make that decision.”
Allbright suggested the potential solution could have Dobbins back on the football field in time for the Broncos’ return from their bye week to face the Washington Commanders on the road in Week 13.
J.K. Dobbins Called Out Illegal Play
GettyJ.K. Dobbins #27 of the Denver Broncos reacts against the Las Vegas Raiders
The Denver Post’s Luca Evans noted a play during the third quarter of the Broncos’ win over the Raiders, where Dobbins appeared to come up with a limp despite not taking any contact. That was after the play in which he initially injured himself.
It occurred when Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson “hip-drop” tackled him, per Dobbins.
“I just got hip-dropped. I’m good,” Dobbins told reporters postgame. “I had a little limp there, but it wasn’t bad. I’m all good. The hip drop should have been called, though. But I’m all good.”
Amid word that he would seek another opinion, Dobbins took to social media to air his grievances, posting on X on November 7 that the NFL should “BAN OR AT LEAST CALL THE MUTHER F***** HIP DROP TACKLE!”
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