The Denver Broncos are waiting with bated breath on the results of the additional examination for veteran running back J.K. Dobbins following “Thursday Night Football.” Dobbins suffered a foot injury on a hip-drop tackle, and he remains extremely unhappy about it.
He spoke candidly after the game, saying the play, committed by Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson, should have been called during the game.
Dobbins doubled down on his message as the Broncos received an ominous update.
J.K. Dobbins Calls for Improved Officiating as Broncos Await Results
GettyJ.K. Dobbins #27 of the Denver Broncos reacts against the Las Vegas Raiders
“BAN OR AT LEAST CALL THE MUTHER F***** HIP DROP TACKLE!” Dobbins posted on X on November 7.
Soon after, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Dobbins’ status and nebulous outlook.
“Broncos RB JK Dobbins suffered a foot injury on what appeared to be a hip-drop tackle Thursday night against the Raiders and is awaiting a second opinion, per source,” Pelissero reported on X on November 7. “Dobbins still finished the game with two carries on the final drive to close out the win.”
The NFL has fined several players for hip-drop tackles after the fact, but in-game calls have been scarce and remain a source of consternation.
Dobbins spoke with the media postgame and said in the immediate aftermath that he was “good,” despite a noticeable limp during the game after the hit. He notably never received medical attention on the sidelines, instead joining his teammates on the bench.
“I just got hip-dropped,” Dobbins told reporters on November 6. “I had a little limp there, but it wasn’t bad. I’m all good. The hip drop should have been called, though.”
Time will tell if Dobbins, the Broncos’ most consistent source of offense, will truly be okay.
J.K. Dobbins’ Injury History Looms Large
GettyJ.K. Dobbins #27 of the Denver Broncos reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Broncos signed Dobbins to a one-year, $2 million contract in free agency this past offseason. But the former Baltimore Ravens second-round pick came with an extensive injury history.
That looms incredibly large following the news of his injury.
Dobbins, who played for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024, has never played in more than 15 games in a season, missing multiple games in four of his previous five campaigns. He has never started more than 11 games in a single season.
The Broncos prepared themselves for such a development, even before signing Dobbins.
Denver drafted RJ Harvey with the No. 60 overall pick in the 2025 draft. A dual-threat, Harvey has been primarily utilized as a pass-catcher out of the backfield this season.
That could change if Dobbins is forced to miss any time or the Broncos err on the side of caution. To that end, having 10 days before their next game helps. Still, losing Dobbins would be a significant blow for an already-inconsistent offense.
Broncos Have ‘Big Game’ in Week 11
GettyDenver Broncos head coach Sean Payton looks on before facing the Houston Texans.
Dobbins’ injury looms even larger with a potentially critical matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs on tap. Broncos head coach Sean Payton did not shy away from the significance of the contest against their battle-tested AFC West rivals.
“These guys will be back Monday, and we know we got a big one coming up against Kansas City,” Payton told reporters on November 6. “The staff and the players will have this time away.”
The Broncos will have an even tougher time if they are missing Dobbins.
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