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J.K. Dobbins #27 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans.
Veteran J.K. Dobbins faced criticism following his re-signing with the Denver Broncos, some of which he took offense to. However, history may have been more on the side of Dobbins’ heckler than the running back wanted to acknowledge.
Dobbins began his NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens, and he spent the 2024 season with the Los Angeles Chargers before originally joining the Broncos in free agency in 2025.
There has been an unfortunate theme in all three stops.
J.K. Dobbins Gets Reality Check Amid Return to Broncos
GettyJ.K. Dobbins #27 of the Denver Broncos greets teammates before facing the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Denver Post’s Troy Renck highlighted that interaction, noting that the “reality is that it would be a fluke if Dobbins stayed healthy,” citing the Broncos running back’s extensive injury history.
It includes multiple ankle, foot, and leg injuries. Dobbins played in 10 games for the Broncos during the 2025 regular season. He hoped to return for the Super Bowl, but they fell one game short. He has not made more than 13 appearances (2024) since his rookie season in 2020.
Dobbins remains “delusional” about his history, per Renck, who said the “optimism is ideal.”
“But if the team does not add a running back in the draft it will be a mistake,” Renck wrote in an article on March 29. “The Broncos have to draft a running back. Filling out the offseason roster with Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie is fine. But if both make the team, then something has gone horribly wrong.
“The only thing standing between the Broncos and a Super Bowl run is the ability to consistently run.”
Renck underscored that it is not about Dobbins’ talent, but rather his durability.
Broncos Had Injury-Marred 2025
GettyJ.K. Dobbins #27 of the Denver Broncos looks on during a game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Dobbins’ injury last season was anything but “fluky,” Renck said, despite it happening on what the veteran has asserted all along was an illegal hip-drop tackle by Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson during a Broncos win.
Making matters worse for the Broncos, 2025 second-round draft pick RJ Harvey was unable to translate his dynamic play as a pass catcher to the run game in Dobbins’ absence.
The Broncos had a top-10 rushing attack before Dobbins’s injury. They finished ranked 16th.
Getting Dobbins back healthy will help, but Renck also pointed to the offensive line’s performance waning. That group dealt with injuries to left guard Ben Powers. They also lost the AFC Championship Game 10-7, without having starting quarterback Bo Nix available.
It may not be that the Broncos are putting their faith in Dobbins staying healthy.
That would be “unfair” to them and him, wrote Renck. Instead, the Broncos’ bet could be against the confluence of circumstances that led to their being so maligned last season. They boasted one of the healthiest groups in the league over the previous two years.
Dobbins, Nix, Powers, tight end Evan Engram, wide receiver Pat Bryant, cornerback Pat Surtain II, and linebacker Dre Greenlaw all missed multiple games due to injuries.
For the Broncos, keeping Dobbins healthy and on the field would be a welcome bonus.
Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He’s based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter
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