The Denver Broncos are trying to emphasize the running game, but they're almost out of running backs.
We all make poor choices in life, and sometimes we end up paying for them. The Denver Broncos committed to trying to rebuild their running game, but unfortunately they’re mostly trying to do it with the same running backs who failed so badly last year.
The results were predictable, and they could be about to get worse, The Broncos now have three wounded running backs going into their Sunday night game against the Los Angeles Rams, and at the moment they really don’t know who’s going to be carrying the rock against defensive lineman Aaron Donald and company.
The least surprising injury is the one suffered by lead back J.K. Dobbins, who swore up and down during the offseason and trining camp that he’d prove his doubters wrong and have a great season while staying healthy.
Guess again. Dobbins was among the Broncos players who have been struggling with soft tissue injuries, and last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars he limped off the field in the third quarter with a hamstring injury.
Coach Sean Payton said after the game that Dobbins was “frustrated” with the injury, and you have to wonder if Payton feels the same about his decision to stick with Dobbins and pay him.
Then there’s RJ Harvey. We read dozens of quotes from Harvey and his teammates during the offseason and trainin camp about how the undersized running back was ready to step up challenge for the role of lead back, but now the big challenge Harvey faces is getting back on the field as he, too, deals with a hamstring issue.
Harvey missed the Jacksonville game entirely, and we still don’t know who the bell cow back is going to be, although Payton also said that he thinks all three of his running backs can handle the job, per a report from Sam Jane of the Denver Post.
The third member of this trio is rookie Jonah Coleman, who missed practice after visiting the medical tent during the Broncos’ 20-13 win over the Jags. The common assumption is that rookie running backs can jump right in and assume a significant role, but some struggle with health during the transition to the NFL.
It’s fair to ask if this is a position where the Broncos should have stood pat during the offseason. None of what’s happening is the least big surprising, and it’s not like the Broncos are going to be able to go empty and risk the health of quarterback Bo Nix. It’s a fascinating situation to watch and monitor, especially since we’re only two games into the season.
