Broncos’ Dobbins says he’s not upset about reduced workload in second half last week

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins spent most of the second half of last Sunday’s game at Arizona watching from the bench as Jonah Coleman and RJ Harvey handled the bulk of the workload.

Coleman in particular provided the finishing kick — 49 yards on seven second-half carries, good for a 7.0-yard average. Harvey had just two touches — as many as Dobbins did after halftime — but thanks to his 52-yard catch-and-run on a screen pass from Bo Nix, he accumulated 53 yards from scrimmage.

So, by the time the Broncos’ 30-16 win was complete, Harvey and Coleman had 102 second-half yards. Dobbins had 3 on two carries — including a touchdown — after averaging 5.0 yards per attempt on his four first-half rushes.

But four days later, Dobbins took umbrage with a question about how it felt for him personally when the two younger running backs were getting the lion’s share of the work in the second half.

“Like we were winning pretty good, right? Weren’t we?” Dobbins asked. “And everybody’s wanting me to play 17 games, correct?

“So, can you take that into account before you start saying stuff like that? Because the coaches have a plan. This organization has a plan for me, and I’m always there to coach my young guys. Like, I’ve said this from the beginning, RJ is my rookie, and then we got another rookie in Jonah. I’m coaching them to make their plays because I want to see them succeed, right?

“We were up by a lot. I want to win the game, and I also want to win in the playoffs and eventually get to a Super Bowl. So to say, ‘Oh’ — no. We’re winning the game.”

There is a situation in which he’d be upset about not getting the workload.

“I like to consider myself a pro, right? Now, if we’re losing, and I’m not getting the carries, [excrement], I’m gonna be mad as [expletive]. Excuse my language,” he said.

“But if we’re winning, and it’s working — I just want to win. I just want to win. I’ve been in the playoff plenty of times. I just want to win a Super Bowl. And so, I just want to win. So, whatever it takes to do that, that’s what it is.”

Broncos RB J.K. Dobbins, on getting few carries in some games, including last Sunday: "I like to consider myself a pro, right? Now, if we're losing, and I'm not getting the carries, s***, I'm gonna be mad as f***. Excuse my language. But if we're winning, and it's working — I… pic.twitter.com/NjHXLdv5Br

— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) October 29, 2026

Dobbins believes the decision of Broncos coaches as to how to disperse the carries was as simple as load management. Indeed, the Broncos led throughout the second half and ended up with their largest victory margin over a team playing its starters since Week 8 of last season against Dallas. And it was an inter-conference game against a struggling Cardinals side.

For every reason possible, it lacked the leverage that this week’s Broncos showdown with Kansas City will possess — let alone other late-season games and potential playoff contests.

“You keep calling me a vet. I’m not old. I’m 27 years old. Not old. I’m not 30. I’m not even close to 30,” he continued.

“So, let’s be smart about it. And that’s what it was, I believe. I’m not sure, you guys might make something bigger than what it is, but I’m just here to support my teammates and I love my teammates and I think they love me too. So, there’s your answer to that.”

HOW COULD BRONCOS’ LOAD MANAGEMENT HELP DOBBINS?

So, if it ACTUALLY IS about load management, how is the Broncos’ approach allowing him to feel physically if the goal is to increase the chances of his availability down the stretch?

“I feel really good. Like, I feel great. Feel like a feather,” he said.

But late in Week 2, Dobbins was sidelined for the final stretches of the Broncos’ 20-13 win — although he was back to full practice participation four days later and played the following week against the Los Angeles Rams.

“The Jaguars game, I had a tweak of something: my hamstring,” he said. “So, as a competitor — I know you guys saw (Eagles running back) Saquon (Barkley) toughen it out. That’s what we do. We love the game so much.

“This organization has to hold me back sometimes.” Dobbins continued. “I want to play. I don’t care what it is. If I ain’t on the surgery table like all the other times, I’m playing, and I mean that as in like I want to help my team win. So, if I can’t help my team win, if I don’t think I can, then I won’t play.

“But very year is different. There’ll be different things as far as physically. And this year, I feel great.”

And as for his per-carry average, which dropped below 5.0 for his career — to 4.96 — in recent weeks: “Like I told you, I’m gonna fix it,” he said.

“We’ll get it back up above five. This is a long season, and I’m feeling great. And the coaches are doing everything to keep me healthy. And when I’m healthy, I think I’m dangerous.”

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