Running back J.K. Dobbins is on injured reserve with a Lisfranc injury, and the Denver Broncos hope to get the veteran back for a potential Super Bowl berth. Likewise, Dobbins hopes that his tenure with the Broncos continues after this season.
However, there is a grim reality check for both sides to face, at least regarding the latter situation.
Unfortunately for Dobbins, all he can do is wait it out.
J.K. Dobbins’ Injury Puts Broncos Future in Jeopardy
GettyJ.K. Dobbins #27 of the Denver Broncos reacts against the Las Vegas Raiders
Dobbins was on track for a career year, rushing for 772 yards and 4 touchdowns on 153 carries, before suffering his injury in Week 10 against the Las Vegas Raiders on “Thursday Night Football.”
He signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Broncos in free agency.
Despite his strong play before the injury, Dobbins’ history suggests the Broncos would be wise to take a wait-and-see approach with his future.
“The Broncos and Dobbins are each posturing as confident he can make a full recovery and get back to playing at a high level.” The Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel wrote on November 19, noting the tailback’s hopes of returning in February.
“The reality, of course, is that Dobbins is a free agent after the season since he signed a one-year deal back in June. So while there’s no need to rush to any kind of prediction about Dobbins’ future, the nature of the injury and his contractual status make it at least plausible that he’s played his final snap in Denver.”
That is an unfortunate truth, but the Broncos have to take a long-term view on Dobbins.
Broncos Must Wait and See on Injured RB
GettyJ.K. Dobbins #27 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans.
The Broncos must consider the implications of Dobbins’ injury if they want to sign him to a multi-year deal, since complications could arise later on.
“Lisfranc injuries are really tough to come back from, though it depends on the exact nature of the injury, and we don’t know that precisely with Dobbins. We know it required surgery, which means there was tearing in at least one of several ligaments around that joint that needed to be repaired for Dobbins to have the structural integrity needed to get back to playing.” Gabriel wrote.
“The thing about Lisfranc injuries that’s so tough, according to Dr. Nicholas Strasser, an orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon I talked to this week, is that not only can the recovery itself be tricky and long, but also that they, in some cases, lead to longer-term issues like arthritis.”
The Broncos have turned to former undrafted free agent Jaleel McLaughlin alongside RJ Harvey in their backfield committee that also includes Tyler Badie in Dobbins’ absence.
J.K. Dobbins Remains Defiant Amid Daunting Injury
GettyJ.K. Dobbins #27 of the Denver Broncos reacts after defeating the Philadelphia Eagles.
Dobbins overcame previous ankle and knee injuries to perform as he had for the Broncos this season, and he suggested this time would be no different.
“For those who will count me out again… Thank you,” Dobbins said in a post on X on November 15. “For those who are with me on this ride… stick with me! You will love what God has planned next [blue and orange heart emojis].”
He called himself “Mr. Comeback” in another post, but he faces a potentially lifelong battle.
The Broncos are 9-2 and in the driver’s seat in the AFC, which at the very least would make for less travel during the playoffs en route to a potential Super Bowl berth.
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