The Denver Broncos are heading into the AFC Championship Game without their rookie quarterback Bo Nix, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the overtime win over the Buffalo Bills. It's a brutal blow for a team that’s been riding a wave of momentum, but there may be a silver lining on the horizon - and it comes in the form of a potential return from one of their most dynamic offensive weapons.
Running back J.K. Dobbins, who was sidelined in November with a Lisfranc injury to his left foot, has had his practice window opened. That means he’s officially in the mix to return, and while nothing is guaranteed, it’s a storyline worth watching closely as Denver prepares to host the New England Patriots.
Before the injury, Dobbins was playing some of the best football of his career. He was averaging 77.2 rushing yards per game - a career high - and had already punched in four touchdowns through 10 games.
He wasn’t just a key piece of the offense; he was the engine. Even after missing the final seven games of the regular season, Dobbins still finished as the Broncos’ leading rusher, racking up 772 yards on 153 carries.
In his absence, rookie RJ Harvey stepped into a bigger role and did an admirable job, tallying 540 yards and seven touchdowns. But there’s no question the ground game hasn’t been the same without Dobbins.
The numbers back that up: before his injury, Denver ranked in the top 10 in both rushing yards per game and yards per carry. After he went down, those rankings plummeted into the bottom 10.
That drop-off was evident again in the divisional-round win over Buffalo. With Nix doing more with his legs than his running backs - leading the team with just 29 rushing yards on 12 carries - it was clear the Broncos were missing that explosive element in the backfield.
Harvey managed just 20 yards on six carries. Jaleel McLaughlin added 21 yards on four attempts.
Not exactly the kind of production you want heading into a matchup with a stout Patriots defense.
And that’s where Dobbins’ potential return becomes so critical. With Jarrett Stidham now under center, the Broncos are going to need all the help they can get to keep the offense balanced and the pressure off their backup quarterback. A healthy Dobbins - or even a version of him that’s 80% - could make a world of difference.
Of course, it’s fair to wonder how effective he’ll be coming off a foot injury that was originally thought to be season-ending. Lisfranc injuries are no joke, especially for a running back who relies on burst, agility, and lower-body strength. But even the threat of Dobbins in the lineup changes how defenses have to prepare.
Vegas isn’t giving Denver much of a shot. The Broncos are currently 5.5-point underdogs at home - the largest spread for a home team in a conference championship game since 1970.
But history has a funny way of showing up in the playoffs. The Patriots are 0-4 all-time in postseason games played in Denver.
That’s not just a stat - it’s a trend.
So yes, the Broncos will be without their young quarterback. But if Dobbins can suit up and give this offense even a spark of what he brought earlier in the season, don’t count Denver out just yet.
In January football, it often comes down to who can run the ball, control the clock, and make just enough plays. And if Dobbins is back, the Broncos might just have the formula to do exactly that.