The Broncos’ running back picture got a lot murkier after RJ Harvey’s injury, and that appears to have changed the outlook for J.K. Dobbins as the NFL trade deadline approaches.
Denver has been one of the teams tied to backfield help, with Jonathan Taylor the big-name target most often connected to the Broncos. Landing Taylor would come at a steep price, with draft compensation close to a first-round pick. Tony Pollard has also been mentioned as a possible fit.
For a while, Dobbins was viewed as a player who could be moved if Denver made a splash at running back. But that possibility looks far less likely now.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported that Harvey’s injury has altered the equation, writing, "J.K. Dobbin's name was raised in some trade talks, as Broncos rookie RB Jonah Coleman broke out, but it's less likely now that RJ Harvey is hurt," Breer writes.
That matters because Denver was already considering a trade for help even when Coleman, Harvey and Dobbins were all healthy. If the Broncos do pull off a deal, the backfield would not look the same as it did before Harvey went on IR.
With Harvey expected to miss the next couple of weeks, the Broncos would be less inclined to deal away Dobbins, even if they add another running back. In that scenario, Dobbins and Coleman would likely serve as backup options until Harvey returns.
So while Denver remains a team to watch in the trade market, the latest read is that Dobbins is more likely to stay put than become part of a deal. The Broncos may still upgrade the room, but Harvey’s injury seems to have taken Dobbins out of the trade conversation.
In Other News...
Broncos Suddenly Have A Big Defensive Question Before Sunday
Talanoa Hufangas return to practice offered the Broncos a timely bit of relief this week, even if it came in a limited role. The starting safety had been sidelined since his Week 5 ankle injury, forcing Denver to lean on backup safeties for three games while the secondary adjusted on the fly.
His presence back on the field at least opens the door for Sundays matchup with the Carolina Panthers, where Denver would love to have one of its key defensive pieces available again. The timing matters, too, because the Broncos are still waiting to see whether Hufanga can do enough in the coming days to move from practice participation to game readiness. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Secondary Suddenly Faces A Big Week 9 Concern
Denvers secondary is dealing with a late-week injury squeeze heading into Week 9, with starting safety Brandon Jones, defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike and cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine all missing practice for a second straight day. That leaves the Broncos with a little less certainty than theyd like against Carolina, especially in a matchup where the back end of the defense could be tested if the injury report continues to grow.
There is at least a bit of relief on the horizon with Talanoa Hufanga moving to limited participation and putting himself in line to return after a three-game absence. The Panthers have their own health questions, with five players sitting out practice, but quarterback Bryce Young was a full participant and is expected to play, so Denver may need to navigate this one without much help from Carolinas injury list. [Read more 🡒]
Bo Nix Is Suddenly Tied To Denvers Biggest Trade Decision
Bo Nixs play has become part of a bigger Broncos conversation, and not just because his recent stretch has shown real improvement. NFL insiders James Palmer and Cecil Lammey said the young quarterback is trending in the right direction, though they stopped short of calling it a leap past where he was a year ago. For Denver, that matters because the front office has to decide whether this is the kind of quarterback growth that justifies more aggressive roster building around him.
George Patons approach has been described as cautious, with the Broncos unlikely to swing big unless they feel confident about where Nix is headed. Palmer and Lammey pointed to how other teams have made bold moves when they believed in their quarterback situation, and a win over Kansas City could sharpen that debate even more. If Denver keeps climbing, the trade market may suddenly look a lot more interesting, and the Broncos will have to decide how far they want to go. [Read more 🡒]