The Denver Broncos were rolling on the ground earlier this season, and a big part of that success was JK Dobbins. The veteran running back, brought in as a free-agent splash back in June, gave Denver the kind of spark they’d been missing in the backfield-explosive, decisive, and capable of turning a routine handoff into a chunk gain. But that momentum took a major hit when Dobbins went down with a foot injury against the Raiders a few weeks ago-an injury that, by all accounts, looks to be season-ending.
There’s still a faint glimmer of hope that Dobbins could return if Denver makes a deep playoff run, but that’s a big “if.” In the meantime, the Broncos’ ground game has sputtered without him.
RJ Harvey hasn’t quite found his rhythm, and while Jaleel McLaughlin brings energy, he’s more of a change-of-pace option than a true workhorse. Simply put, Denver’s backfield hasn’t been the same since Dobbins went down.
But here’s the thing: as much as Dobbins’ absence has hurt, another missing piece might be just as critical-if not more so. Offensive guard Ben Powers hasn’t played since Week 5 due to a biceps injury, and the numbers tell a pretty compelling story about what his absence has meant for this offense.
The Ben Powers Effect
Before Powers went down, the Broncos were averaging a rock-solid 140.6 rushing yards per game. That’s not just good-it’s the kind of consistency that keeps defenses honest and opens up the rest of the playbook.
Since his injury? That number has dropped to just 104.1 yards per game.
And it’s not just about the raw totals. There was even a five-game stretch earlier in the season when Dobbins was still healthy, but Powers was sidelined-and during that time, Denver averaged just 116.6 rushing yards per game.
Let’s break that down:
- With Ben Powers: 140.6 rush YPG
- Without Powers: 104.1 rush YPG
- Without Powers but with Dobbins: 116.6 rush YPG
So while Dobbins garners the headlines-and rightfully so-it’s clear that Powers is a foundational piece of this run game. His ability to create movement at the point of attack, seal off defenders, and anchor the left side of the line has been sorely missed. And while the Broncos’ offensive line has held up reasonably well overall, there’s no replacing a player like Powers without feeling the ripple effects.
A Timely Return?
The good news for Denver? Powers’ recovery timeline from the biceps injury was estimated at about two months-and we’re right on that mark heading into Week 14. If he’s able to return soon, it could be a huge shot in the arm for this offense, especially as the playoff race tightens and every possession starts to carry more weight.
Powers, signed in 2023, had been a model of durability until this season. But durability aside, his value is becoming more apparent with each game he misses.
The Broncos recently extended Luke Wattenberg, which might raise some eyebrows about Powers’ long-term future in Denver-especially with so much money already committed to the offensive line. Still, for now, the focus isn’t on the offseason-it’s on salvaging the run game and keeping the postseason dream alive.
If Powers can get back on the field soon, and if Denver can get just enough from its current backfield rotation, this offense might be able to regain its early-season identity. Because without a functioning run game, the Broncos’ playoff hopes could fade fast.
But with Powers back in the trenches? That changes the equation entirely.