Broncos rookie running back Jonah Coleman is headed to injured reserve with a high-ankle sprain after his breakout performance against Jacksonville.
The Denver Broncos will be without one of their promising young offensive players for at least the next four games.
Rookie running back Jonah Coleman is being placed on short-term injured reserve with a high-ankle sprain, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Schefter added that Coleman is expected to return when the Broncos face the Arizona Cardinals in late October.
The injury apparently didn't stop Coleman from delivering the best performance of his young NFL career.
Coleman injured his ankle on his first touch against the Jacksonville Jaguars last Sunday and played through it for the remainder of the game, according to NFL reporter James Palmer.
The fourth-round pick finished with 39 rushing yards and his first career touchdown on 10 carries while adding three receptions for 19 yards in Denver's 20-13 victory.
His 3-yard touchdown run gave the Broncos their first lead of the game in the fourth quarter.
Coleman then helped Denver close out the victory, picking up 33 yards on the Broncos' final possession. His performance earned him a nomination for NFL Rookie of the Week.
Now his promising start will be put on hold.
Coleman had already been ruled out of Sunday night's game against the Los Angeles Rams before the news that he would be placed on injured reserve.
His absence also adds another chapter to what has been an eventful week for Denver's running back room.
J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey have both dealt with injuries, but each has been cleared to play against Los Angeles. Both were full participants in practice Thursday and Friday, while Harvey is set to return after missing the Jacksonville game with a hamstring injury.
For now, Denver will have to move forward without a rookie who had just begun carving out a role in its offense.
