Broncos RB J.K. Dobbins makes bold claim about health for 2026 season

Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins is a monster.

When he’s on the field.

The problem with Dobbins hasn’t been production during his NFL career, it’s been his ability to stay healthy.

Dobbins played in 10 games for the Broncos last season before a Lisfranc injury ended things prematurely. Denver lost in the AFC Championship Game without him and QB Bo Nix, a frustrating 10-7 defeat to the New England Patriots.

The 27-year-old Dobbins vowed he would’ve been back for the Super Bowl if the Broncos had made it that far, but alas it wasn’t an option.

Still, head coach Sean Payton and GM George Paton saw enough from Dobbins in 2025 to give him a new contract this spring. It’s a two-year deal worth $16 million, but only $8 million is guaranteed. Clearly, Denver’s front-office wants Dobbins to prove health isn’t going to be an issue moving forward.

But that’s hard to guarantee, considering Dobbins missed all of 2021, played eight games in 2022, one in 2023, 13 in 2024 and 10 a season ago.

After his youth football camp over the weekend in Aurora, Dobbins made two bold claims to The Denver Post’s Luca Evans when asked what he wants to show the fanbase.

“What I’m going to show is that last year wasn’t a fluke. Like, instead of being No. 3 in the NFL, I’ll be No. 1 this year. And there won’t be any injuries,” Dobbins told Evans.

Dobbins was actually fifth in the NFL in rushing yards when he got hurt and finished with 772 on the season, averaging an impressive 5.0 yards per carry. It sounds like he thinks he can lead the league in yards on the ground in 2026.

And the second part of the answer will create the biggest stir. It’s football, injuries happen, and Dobbins is claiming he won’t get hurt. There’s no way he or anyone else can assure that.

Is the confidence appreciated? Yes. But this could also backfire if Dobbins suffers yet another season-ending setback before the playoffs roll around.

He has RJ Harvey and rookie Jonah Coleman behind him on the depth chart, but if the Broncos are going to reach their goals they need Dobbins to stay on the field.

If that’s the case and he actually leads the NFL in rushing, a championship feels like a more realistic possibility in Denver.

Related

Colorado native earns a 99 rating in new ‘Madden’ game, but no BroncosIt’s time for the Broncos to unleash a new level of urgency under Davis WebbThe Jaylen Waddle hype has Brandon Stokley a little nervousDo the Broncos have room for two rookie tight ends on their 53-player roster?Broncos will begin training camp with two players on reserve listsMahomes cleared for training camp, remains on course for Broncos-Chiefs season opener