Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins has already undergone potentially season-ending – and possibly worse – surgery to repair a Lisfranc fracture in his foot. However, the news went from bad to even more disappointing following the NFL’s latest slew of fines.
Dobbins was having a resurgent season, his first with the Broncos, sparking talks of a possible contract extension. He signed a one-year, $2 million deal in free agency.
Despite Dobbins’ protests, the NFL did not levy punishment over the injury-inducing play.
NFL Passes on Punishing Raiders DE Tyree Wilson
GettyLas Vegas Raiders DE Tyree Wilson looks on during mandatory minicamp.
Dobbins took a handoff during the Broncos’ eventual Week 10 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on “Thursday Night Football,” when defensive end Tyree Wilson tackled him from behind and took him to the ground.
Dobbins returned to the game, but said in the immediate aftermath that it was an illegal “hip-drop” tackle and should have been called.
He took to social media to reiterate that message.
“I just got hip-dropped,” Dobbins told reporters on November 6, after the Broncos defeated the Raiders. “I had a little limp there, but it wasn’t bad. I’m all good. The hip drop should have been called, though.”
On X the following day, Dobbins posted, “BAN OR AT LEAST CALL THE MUTHER F***** HIP DROP TACKLE!”
Neither of those things happened, and now, Dobbins may be out for the season.
While Wilson was not fined, Raiders running back Dylan Laube was docked $5,549 for an illegal blindside block during the fourth quarter. Laube’s was the only fine that the NFL levied in the game.
New Optimistic J.K. Dobbins Timeline Emerges
GettyJ.K. Dobbins #27 of the Denver Broncos reacts after the game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The kind of injury that Dobbins has can alter careers, if not end them. However, there remains a glimmer of hope for him and the Broncos.
“I was told JK Dobbins had surgery already on a Lisfranc injury suffered against the Raiders.” CBS Sports’ Tracy Wolfson reported on X on November 15. “He is expected to be out for the season. Huge loss for the #Broncos on and off the field. Dobbins was putting together a tremendous season in a contract year.
“J.K. Dobbins has gotten opinion from doctors that he could play in Super Bowl in February if #Broncos make it that far, per source,” The Denver Post’s Luca Evans reported shortly after Wolfson weighed in.
In the meantime, the Broncos are taking a “next man up” approach.
Sean Payton Touts J.K. Dobbins Replacements
GettyDenver Broncos head coach Sean Payton looks on before a game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Before the Broncos decided to place Dobbins on IR, head coach Sean Payton touted the team’s healthy backs, RJ Harvey and Tyler Badie, as well as practice squadder Jaleel McLaughlin, a former coaching staff darling who has only played in one game this season.
“When we drafted [Harvey], it was his running skill set and, man, he had a lot of touches,” Payton told media members on November 12.
“You have experience in a guy like Jaleel, who’s explosive and has been chomping at the bit.”
Time will tell if Payton and the Broncos explore outside options to help replace Dobbins. That would be far more difficult now that the trade deadline has already passed, potentially leading to the Broncos riding with their incumbents in hopes they can maintain and Dobbins can return.
The Broncos also remain without starting All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II and offensive lineman Ben Powers, the latter of whom is on IR with a torn biceps.
Broncos Get Bad News as NFL Doles Out Punishment From Raiders Game
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