The Broncos are sending rookie RB Audric Estime to IR with an ankle injury. The Athletic's Nick Kosmider says only that Estime will "miss at least four games," which makes it sound like a shorter-term issue.
2024 Fantasy Football Impact
Estime played just three snaps and carried twice in the Week 1 loss to Seattle, so there's not much fantasy impact here.
Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin clearly worked at the front of the backfield in that game and figure to do so one gets hurt or plays his way out of the lineup.
Undrafted rookie Blake Watson is the only other RB on the current roster and figures to join the game-day roster over the next four weeks.
This absence also makes Estime less likely to command work even after he returns.
Other Winners & Losers
HC Sean Payton seemed intrigued with Watson's skill set after the team signed him. And the fact that Watson made the team as a UDFA certainly supports that.
The former WR differs from Estime in size and skill set. Estime was a run-heavy college back who caught just 26 passes over his two starting seasons. Watson racked up 113 receptions across five seasons: four at Old Dominion and one at Memphis.
Watson has a chance to fit the offense differently than Estime. We'll see if that means any meaningful touches over the next month.