Broncos Need Insurance for Injury-Prone RB J.K. Dobbins

Despite Dobbins' talent, the Broncos cannot rely solely on his health to power their running game.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 12:05pm

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The Denver Broncos re-signed running back J.K. Dobbins this offseason, but his injury history raises concerns about his durability. Dobbins has never played a full NFL season due to various knee, Achilles, and foot injuries. While the Broncos and their fans love Dobbins' production when healthy, the team cannot afford to hinge its offensive success on his availability. The Broncos should look to draft a running back, such as Notre Dame's Jadarian Price or Arkansas' Mike Washington Jr., to provide insurance and a potential long-term successor for the oft-injured Dobbins.

Why it matters

The Broncos' ability to consistently run the ball will be a key factor in their quest for a Super Bowl run this season. Relying solely on the injury-prone Dobbins could derail their offensive plans, as it did last year when he missed the final nine games. Drafting a talented young running back to complement Dobbins would give the Broncos insurance and depth at a crucial position.

The details

Dobbins, 27, has started just 30 of 64 games in his NFL career due to a variety of injuries, including knee, Achilles, and foot issues. He missed the Broncos' final nine games last season after suffering a foot injury on a hip-drop tackle. Despite his talent and production when healthy, Dobbins' injury history raises concerns about his ability to stay on the field for a full season.

  • Dobbins re-signed with the Broncos earlier this month.
  • Dobbins missed the Broncos' final nine games last season due to a foot injury.

The players

J.K. Dobbins

A talented running back for the Denver Broncos who has struggled with injuries throughout his NFL career, missing significant time in multiple seasons.

Jadarian Price

A running back prospect from Notre Dame who is projected to be available when the Broncos select in the second round of the upcoming NFL Draft.

Mike Washington Jr.

A running back prospect from Arkansas who could also be an option for the Broncos in the second round of the draft.

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What they’re saying

“We've got a great O-line, we've got everything. We've got an embarrassment of riches on this team of talent. I'm excited. I really am, because, call it what it is, I got hurt, I missed the last, what, seven games in the regular season. I'm fresh. I'm gonna be fresh and I'm gonna be pissed off because I'm tired of the unfortunate stuff. I know that I can do it. It's gonna happen this year. It's gonna be great.”

— J.K. Dobbins, Broncos Running Back

“Jadarian Price is a minotaur, an absolute horse who is going to have a great career.”

— Ryan Harris, Former Broncos Tackle and NFL Analyst

What’s next

The Broncos will have the opportunity to draft a running back such as Jadarian Price or Mike Washington Jr. in the second round of the upcoming NFL Draft. Selecting a talented young running back to provide insurance and depth behind the injury-prone Dobbins will be a key offseason move for the team.

The takeaway

The Broncos cannot afford to rely solely on the health of J.K. Dobbins to power their running game and offense. While Dobbins is a talented back, his extensive injury history makes him a risky proposition as the team's lead ball carrier. Drafting a young, durable running back to complement Dobbins would give the Broncos the insurance they need to ensure their ground game remains productive, even if Dobbins misses time due to injury.