The Denver Broncos are heading into the Divisional Round banged up, but all things considered, they’re still in better shape than most teams at this point in the season. That’s been a bit of a trend since Sean Payton took over in 2023.
Under his watch, Denver has generally stayed healthier than the league average - a quiet but crucial edge. But now, with the playoffs heating up, the injury bug has started to bite back.
There’s good news, though. Starting left guard Ben Powers is back in the mix, which is a big deal for a Denver offensive line that’s been quietly solid all season.
And linebacker Dre Greenlaw is trending in the right direction ahead of Saturday’s matchup. But the team is still missing a few key pieces: Brandon Jones, Luke Wattenberg, and most notably, running back J.K.
Dobbins.
Dobbins has been sidelined since Week 10 with a foot injury that’s lingered longer than anyone in Denver would like. He hadn’t even been spotted doing side work - until now.
On Wednesday, for the first time since he landed on injured reserve in November, Dobbins was seen on the side field during practice, going through rehab work. That’s not nothing. In fact, for a team hoping to extend its postseason run, it’s a major development.
No, he’s not suiting up this weekend. That much is clear.
But the fact that he’s moving again, even in a limited rehab capacity, opens the door - just slightly - for a potential return deeper in the playoffs. If the Broncos can get past the Buffalo Bills and punch their ticket to the AFC Championship Game, there’s a real shot Dobbins could be activated in time to contribute.
And make no mistake: they could use him.
Before the injury, Dobbins was a force. In 10 regular season games, he racked up 772 rushing yards at a clip of 5.0 yards per carry.
That kind of efficiency doesn’t just move the chains - it sets the tone. He was on pace for over 1,300 yards, and his ability to break tackles and hit the hole with burst added a dynamic element to Denver’s offense.
Since he’s been out, the Broncos’ ground game has sputtered. In the seven games without him, they’ve failed to crack 100 rushing yards in three of them. Sure, they managed 152 yards against the Raiders in Week 14, but that came against a Las Vegas defense that was falling apart.
The Broncos have had to lean more on the passing game and piece together the run by committee, but it’s clear something’s missing. Dobbins’ vision, patience, and burst out of the backfield gave this offense balance - and without him, that balance has been hard to find.
So while Wednesday’s development doesn’t mean he’s back yet, it does mean he’s closer. And if Denver can keep this playoff run alive, there’s a chance they get one of their most explosive weapons back at just the right time.