J.K. Dobbins likely out for season with foot injury

For J.K. Dobbins, the news regarding his foot injury could not have possibly been worse.

The Broncos’ prolific running back — who entered the weekend fifth in rushing yardage with 772 yards through 10 games — will likely see his season end because of the injury suffered onwhat appeared to be a hip-drop tackle made on him by Las Vegas defensive lineman Tyree Wilson during the Broncos’ 10-7 win over the Raiders on Nov. 6.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter was first to report the news.

Dobbins has a Lisfranc injury, which is in the middle of the foot where the metatarsal bones meet the rest of the foot. He is expected to recover in time for the 2026 season, however, he will become an unrestricted free agent before then, as the Broncos signed him to a one-year contract in June.

It is yet another tough break for Dobbins in a career filled with them. He has yet to play all games in a single season and by the end of this campaign will have played in 47 of a possible 101 regular-season contests.

When healthy, Dobbins has been effective; he boasts a 5.2-yards-per-carry average for his career, including a 5.0-yards-per-rush pace this season. But for the fourth time in his six seasons, he will miss at least seven games.

WHAT’S NEXT WITH DOBBINS ON THE SHELF?

Rookie RJ Harvey moves up to the top of the depth chart, with Tyler Badie and Jaleel McLaughlin assuming larger roles.

McLaughlin has been active just once this year, but was the Broncos’ most effective back in a three-runner rotation down the stretch last season. Badie has received the call as the No. 3 back despite having a high drop rate, with McLaughlin languishing on the game-day inactive list despite his stellar spot work in 2023 and 2024.

“There are always those decisions that are challenging, and then it’s communicating constantly with the players. ‘Hey, I can’t tell you when,’ and then, ‘Here’s when,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said.

“So, he’ll be ready.”

Harvey leads the Broncos with six touchdowns so far this season — including four on passes from quarterback Bo Nix. His 50-yard rush this season in Week 1 remains the team’s longest gallop of the season, but his work on the ground has been relatively infrequent compared with Dobbins’ workload; he has 5 or fewer carries in seven of 10 games.

Harvey has more than eight total touches just once: in Week 4 against Cincinnati.

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