The Denver Broncos are just days away from the AFC Championship, and while the loss of Bo Nix has cast a long shadow over their playoff push, there’s finally a flicker of good news coming out of Denver. With their rookie quarterback sidelined for the remainder of the postseason, the Broncos are in full pivot mode - and reinforcements may be arriving just in time.
Two key offensive starters - running back JK Dobbins and center Luke Wattenberg - returned to practice on Wednesday, a significant development for a team that’s been patching holes in its lineup all season long. For a Broncos offense now riding with backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham, the timing couldn’t be more critical.
If you're going to roll into a conference title game with your QB2, the least you can ask for is a healthy supporting cast. Denver might finally be getting that.
Let’s start with Wattenberg. The starting center has been out since being placed on injured reserve earlier this season, and his absence has been felt - especially last week in Buffalo, when backup Alex Forsyth briefly exited with an injury of his own.
That forced Sam Mustipher, who joined the team just weeks ago, into emergency duty. It was a less-than-ideal situation for a team trying to protect a backup quarterback in a playoff game.
Now, with Wattenberg trending toward a return, the Broncos can breathe a little easier. He’s expected to slide right back into the starting role, bringing stability to the interior of the offensive line - a crucial factor as Denver prepares to face a Patriots front that’s been disruptive all year.
Then there’s Dobbins. His potential return is a bit murkier, but no less impactful.
The veteran running back hasn’t played since suffering a Lisfranc injury in Denver’s Thursday night win over the Raiders. That injury cost him the rest of the regular season, and it’s still unclear whether he’ll be ready to suit up on Sunday.
But the fact that he’s back on the practice field - even in a limited capacity - is a huge step forward.
If Dobbins can go, even in a rotational role, it changes the entire complexion of Denver’s offense. He’s a dynamic, north-south runner who can take pressure off Stidham and give the Broncos a more balanced attack. With Nix out, Denver’s path to victory likely runs through the ground game and short, efficient passes - and Dobbins is tailor-made for that kind of approach.
The Broncos have been dealing with injuries all season, rarely fielding their full starting unit on offense. Guard Ben Powers missed significant time earlier in the year before returning to the lineup, and even now, Denver is far from full strength. But getting Wattenberg and potentially Dobbins back could be the kind of late-season boost that helps them weather the storm.
Make no mistake - this team is still facing an uphill battle. Losing your starting quarterback ahead of a conference championship is never part of the plan. But if the Broncos can get healthy at the right positions, they might just have enough to keep the dream alive.