A couple of days after losing quarterback Bo Nix to a season-ending injury, the Broncos might just have a silver lining, as another major offensive piece will return to practice.<\/p>\n
Denver is opening starting running back J.K. Dobbins\u2019 21-day window to return off injured reserve, a source confirmed to The Denver Post on Monday afternoon. Dobbins\u2019 return to practice could have major implications for head coach Sean Payton\u2019s offense in the AFC championship game, as the running back was tied for fifth in the NFL in rushing yards (722) through 10 games in 2025 before suffering a Lisfranc injury in his foot in a November game against the Raiders.<\/p>\n
The Broncos placed Dobbins on injured reserve the Saturday after Week 10\u2019s win over Las Vegas, as Dobbins underwent surgery on his foot that could\u2019ve well sidelined him for the remainder of the season<\/a>. A source told The Denver Post at the time, though, that Dobbins intended to be back for the Super Bowl in February if the Broncos advanced that far, and that timeline now matches up.<\/p>\n Dobbins hasn\u2019t played since early November, and a return against the Patriots in Sunday\u2019s AFC championship game looks hasty. If Dobbins is available against New England, though, it could ease the pressure on backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham and provide a boost to Denver\u2019s backfield, which combined for just 41 rushing yards on 10 carries against the Bills in Denver\u2019s 33-30 overtime win Saturday night.<\/p>\n