J.K. Dobbins Faces Injury Concern Ahead of 2026 Season
Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins has encountered a soft-tissue injury during a recent practice session, prompting concerns about his health as the 2026 season approaches. Head coach Sean Payton indicated that Dobbins should be fine, but the injury adds to worries given his history of injuries.
Dobbins, who was drafted in the second round in 2020, has struggled to stay healthy throughout his career, having never played more than 15 games in a season. He previously suffered significant injuries, including ACL and Achilles tendon tears while playing for the Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles Chargers, and Broncos. Last season, he averaged a career-high 77.2 rushing yards per game before a left foot injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season.
The Broncos' running game faltered without Dobbins, averaging only 114.1 rushing yards per game, ranking 21st in the NFL. In the playoffs, they averaged just 3.3 yards per carry in a loss to the New England Patriots. With Dobbins' health in question, the Broncos have added rookie Jonah Coleman to their backfield, but his ability to lead the ground game remains uncertain. Dobbins is not expected to miss any regular-season games at this time, but his early injury raises doubts about his reliability for the upcoming season.