Broncos won’t have J.K. Dobbins for AFC Championship Game

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Broncos won’t have J.K. Dobbins for at least one more game.

Their leading rusher was ruled out for Sunday’s AFC Championship Game after returning to the practice field this week for the first time since suffering a Lisfranc injury Nov. 6 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Dobbins saw limited work all three days this week, including a Friday session that began inside the Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse. The Broncos opened Dobbins’ 21-day ramp-up window for a possible return from injured reserve on Monday, remarking a swift return from a surgery that was thought to be season-ending when it happened in November.

When asked about Dobbins’ status after practice Friday, Sean Payton declined to comment.

Without their leading rusher, the Broncos will again turn to a trio of RJ Harvey, Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie. McLaughlin averaged 5.0 yards per carry in the seven regular-season games after Dobbins’ injury. Harvey led the team in rushing yardage in those final seven games, while Badie handled much of the third-down work.

The Broncos also ruled out two other players on injured reserve who are in their 21-day windows: tight end Lucas Krull and inside linebacker Drew Sanders. Each had full participation all three days this week.

PAT BRYANT GOOD TO GO FOR BRONCOS ON SUNDAY

Elsewhere, wide receiver Pat Bryant cleared the league-mandated post-concussion protocol and was listed without any designation, meaning that he is expected to play Sunday.

Center Luke Wattenberg had full practice participation for a third-straight day and is listed as questionable. His 21-day ramp-up period began Wednesday; he landed on injured reserve Dec. 25 due to a shoulder injury.

Wide receiver Troy Franklin has been limited all week and is questionable due to the hamstring injury he incurred last Saturday. Also questionable are safety JL Skinner (quadriceps) and center Alex Forsyth (ankle); both were limited on Friday.

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