Javonte Williams’ season is over and a long rehab looms

A bad weekend for the Broncos got worse Monday with word that Javonte Williams will miss the rest of the season after suffering three torn ligaments in his right knee.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the news late Monday morning.

Not only does #Broncos RB Javonte Williams have a torn ACL, but the MRI revealed a a torn LCL and posterior lateral corner, sources say. A significant injury and a long road back.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 3, 2022

For Williams and the Broncos, this was the worst possible news — and what they feared after Williams went down in a heap on the first play of the second half of their 32-23 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Williams needed assistance to get to the sideline after the injury, then left via cart. After the game, the second-year running back was on crutches in the locker room.

Prior to the injury, Williams had become the clear No. 1 running back after a time-share with Melvin Gordon in the first three weeks.

He had nine of the Broncos’ 11 rushing attempts in the first half and 10 of the Broncos’ 12 total touches from the position, with Gordon and Mike Boone seeing just spot duty.

That move came after Gordon had three fumbles in three weeks. On Gordon’s only first-half carry, that became four in four, with a scoop-and-score effectively serving as a nine-point swing that was ultimately decisive.

The Broncos are now left with questions at running back. And with Williams dealing with three torn knee ligaments, he faces an arduous rehabilitation that is likely to consume the entire offseason.

Nathaniel Hackett wants to emphasize the ground game to make his scheme work. But now he will have to do so without the man who became his top option.

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