11/15/25 03:38:00
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11/15 15:36 CST Broncos' J.K. Dobbins needs foot surgery and is likely done for
season, AP source says
Broncos' J.K. Dobbins needs foot surgery and is likely done for season, AP
source says
By ARNIE STAPLETON
AP Pro Football Writer
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) --- Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins is heading
to injured reserve and needs surgery on his left foot that likely will end his
season, a person familiar with the diagnosis told The Associated Press on
Saturday.
The person spoke to the AP on condition on anonymity because the team hasn't
provided an update on Dobbins since he was injured last week during an
unflagged hip-drop tackle by Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson late in the
third quarter of Denver's 10-7 win over Las Vegas.
He limped off the field, but concerns about his health dissipated after he
returned and carried six times for 25 yards. He finished with 77 yards on 18
carries and the Broncos chewed up the final 4 1/2 minutes in the fourth quarter
to secure their seventh straight win.
The next day, though, Dobbins posted an obscenity-laced rant on X, calling for
hip-drop tackles to be penalized, and he sought a second medical opinion, which
confirmed the injury's severity.
Dobbins has been the Broncos' biggest offensive spark. Rookie R.J. Harvey is
set to assume the lead running back role Sunday when Denver (8-2) hosts the
Kansas City Chiefs (5-4) in an AFC West showdown.
Dobbins ranks No. 3 in the NFL with 774 yards rushing on 5 yards per carry.
Harvey is a distant second on the team with 214 rushing yards, and his biggest
contributions so far have come in the passing game with four touchdown catches.
On Friday, Harvey, a second-round pick out of Central Florida who has six TDs,
said he is eager to carry the load so the Broncos have no drop off in their
ground game.
"The game, I feel like, it slowed down a lot for me," he said. "When I first
got here, things were moving quick, moving fast. I definitely feel more
comfortable."
"Definitely excited to showcase my running ability," Harvey said. "Whatever
coach wants me to do, I'm willing to do on the field and help my team the best
way possible."
Said Broncos offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi: "He's just a guy that's
growing right before our eyes. If his workload increases, we're going to see
his production increase and be real excited about it."
The Broncos can all but bury the Chiefs, who have won nine consecutive
divisional titles, with a win Sunday. But they're missing several starters in
addition to Dobbins.
Star cornerback Pat Surtain II (strained pectoral) and tight end Nate Adkins
(knee) will both miss their third straight game, leading tackler Alex Singleton
is recovering from surgery last week to remove a cancerous testicular tumor and
outside linebacker Jonah Elliss (hamstring) is also out.
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