Everyone knows that J.K. Dobbins is an awesome running back, but the reason he came at such a discount to the Denver Broncos is the same reason he’ll miss Sunday’s big game against the Kansas City Chiefs — the injury bug.
The Broncos rusher is out for the foreseeable future with a possible significant foot injury, NFL Network Insiders reported Friday.
The Broncos and Dobbins are still considering options, but one of those is a trip to injury reserve, which would cost him at least the next four games. Dobbins was ruled out of Sunday’s contest against the Chiefs already.
#Broncos RB JK Dobbins will be out on Sunday vs the #Chiefs with a significant foot injury and is believed to be out for the foreseeable future, per me and @TomPelissero.
Dobbins is still working through options, and while there’s no final determination, IR remains a… pic.twitter.com/73n2LEvA8N
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 14, 2025
Dobbins has missed multiple games in each of his last five seasons. Unfortunately, it was an issue his entire stint in Baltimore, where he missed 43 games, and carried over to last year in Los Angeles, where he missed four games.
Dobbins has been awesome for the Broncos, leading the club with 153 carries, 772 rushing yards and four touchdowns. The Brocnos will likely turn to the rookie who has spelled him thus far, second-round pick RJ Harvey. He has caught 25 balls for 175 yards and four touchdowns while also rushing for 214 yards and two scores on 50 attempts.
“Obviously, he’ll have more opportunities here in this game,” Sean Payton said of Harvey on Wednesday. “He’s built to last, and that’s important.”
But Payton has been a bit hesitant to turn make Harvey the guy. He’s well known to rotate running backs and Jaleel McLaughlin could be an option. As could Tyler Badie.
Even if Harvey isn’t the lone guy, he’s now the starter and main man. Meanwhile, Dobbins may miss games against Washington (Week 13), Las Vegas (Week 14) and Green Bay Packers (Week 15) if he gets placed on IR in the coming days.