Sean Payton and the Denver Broncos are looking to end the 2025 regular season on a high note, with the No. 1 seed in the AFC and their roster as healthy as possible, with the playoffs starting in just over one week.
Their final injury report of the regular season offered a mixed bag of news for Week 18 against the Los Angeles Chargers.
It bodes well for the postseason, though.
Broncos Rule Out Dre Greenlaw vs Chargers
GettyDre Greenlaw #57 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a stop against the Houston Texans.
The Broncos ruled out two players for their regular-season finale, both linebackers, including starter Dre Greenlaw, which could spark a roster move on Saturday before their final game day of the regular season.
Greenlaw missed the Broncos’ Week 16 win over the Kansas City Chiefs due to his hamstring injury.
He also missed the first six weeks of the season due to a quad injury.
Greenlaw is expected to return for the playoffs, per the Denver Post’s Luca Evans on December 31. That would be a boon for the Broncos, who inked the oft-injured veteran during free agency this past offseason.
Backup LB Karene Reid will remain on injured reserve, at least until after the Broncos finish the regular season.
The Broncos have until his 21-day practice window expires on January 7 to decide.
If they do not activate him from IR, he will remain sidelined for the rest of the campaign, however long it may last. Still, the Broncos’ biggest concern on defense is getting Greenlaw back to full strength.
Omarion Hampton and Nikko Reed are out, while Bradley Bozeman, Benjamin St-Juste, Hassan Haskins, Kimani Vidal, and R.J. Mickens are listed as questionable for the Chargers.
Jamaree Salyer and Elijah Molden are doubtful.
Broncos DE John Franklin-Myers on Watch
GettyJohn Franklin-Myers #98 of the Denver Broncos reacts against the New York Jets.
The Broncos listed six players on their final injury report of the 2025 regular season, including Greenlaw, and only one of them will carry a designation into gam day.
That is defensive end John Franklin-Myers, who exited early during the Broncos’ Week 17 win over the Chiefs. Franklin-Myers logged 11 defensive snaps against the Chiefs before his exit, but was encouragingly able to practice in a limited fashion all week.
Franklin-Myers is on an expiring two-year, $15 million contract.
Being healthy for the postseason run is paramount for him in what could be his final season in Denver, with free agency looming.
Ben Powers Set for Full-Time Role
GettyBen Powers #74 of the Denver Broncos blocks against the New Orleans Saints.
The Broncos welcomed starting left guard Ben Powers back to the active roster from injured reserve in Week 16, and he is set to take another significant step in his recovery in Week 18.
“Ben Powers told me he expects to be back in starting lineup Sunday vs. Chargers at left guard,” The Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson reported on X on January 2. “Powers alternated with Alex Palczewski the last two games after Powers had returned from biceps surgery and Palcho started those two.”
Powers started 39 straight regular-season games for the Broncos before his injury.
The Broncos were forced to shuffle through options, first inserting Matt Peart in Powers’ place, but turning to Palczewski after Peart suffered a season-ending injury. With Powers resuming his starting role, Palczewski reverts to being the Broncos’ sixth offensive lineman.
Broncos RB J.K. Dobbins Eyeing Postseason Return
GettyJ.K. Dobbins #27 of the Denver Broncos reacts after facing the Cincinnati Bengals.
Franklin-Myers and Greenlaw headline the Broncos’ concerns on defense, while Powers was one key issue on offense. The Broncos face another hurdle with starting running back J.K. Dobbins, who has been sidelined since Week 10 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Dobbins suffered a Lisfranc injury that required surgery, but he has his sights set on a return for the postseason.
“He’s been around the locker room a couple times the past couple weeks now (but haven’t seen him doing any side-field/rehab stuff at practice),” The Denver Post’s Luca Evans told a fan inquiring on X about the tailback’s outlook on January 1. “Will say this — have no idea on timetable, but Dobbins has certainly not viewed the Lisfranc as the end of his season.”
The Broncos have missed Dobbins.
Dobbins could need the Broncos to reach the Super Bowl to make his vision become a reality, but it would be a welcome scenario on all fronts.
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