Broncos RB J.K. Dobbins needs surgery for his foot injury and will likely miss the rest of the season, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. Dobbins suffered the foot injury on a hip-drop tackle during Denver's Week 10 win over the Raiders. NFL Network reports that it's a "ligament issue" and calls the surgery season-ending.
Schefter: "Dobbins' foot injury comes at a time when his contract is set to expire after this season and he was scheduled to become a free agent. He has been productive and popular in Denver, and the Broncos have wanted him to return."
Ian Rapoport: "Dobbins sought the opinions of several experts. In the end, surgery is the only answer."
Dobbins had remained the team's dominant rushing leader. His injury basically forces the team to feature second-round rookie RJ Harvey, starting this week.
The only other RBs on the active roster are Tyler Badie and Jaleel McLaughlin, with Deuce Vaughn the lone RB on the practice squad.
I'd be shocked if the Broncos don't at least add another RB to the practice squad, and they might look to get another veteran onto the gameday roster. As it is, the backfield consists of the largely unproven Harvey and a bunch of figurine-sized reserves.
Harvey has flashed his upside with a solid 4.3-yard rushing average and 25 receptions. He doubled Dobbins' receiving usage and production, which will be key to setting his fantasy floor going forward.
At the same time, the Broncos have showed with his limiting rushing usage -- 50 carries through 10 games -- that they don't believe the rookie's ready for high-level work.
We'll see whether that leads Denver to spread the rushing attempts around a bit more. But we're starting the new alignment with low-RB2 expectations for Harvey. (A little lower in non-PPR.)
This backfield looks short on "winners," but McLaughlin has a shot to re-enter the picture.
Badie has carried just two times despite seeing playing time in nine of 10 games. McLaughlin has carried just once and been active for only one game. But he's got some history with Sean Payton at least.
He ranked second among Broncos backs in carries and targets last year, and his 4.4-yard rushing average led Javonte Williams' 3.7.
McLaughlin's a fine "why not" stash off waivers right now.
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