Broncos Make Official Call on J.K. Dobbins’ Status vs. Chiefs
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J.K. Dobbins has been a meaningful part of Denver's early season rise to the top of the AFC.
The Denver Broncos received tough news Friday afternoon.
As NBC Sports noted, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that running back J.K. Dobbins will amiss Sunday’s matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs due to a significant foot injury.
Rapoport added that Dobbins is “believed to be out for the foreseeable future.”
His placement on injured reserve remains a real possibility as the team evaluates its options.
“Dobbins is still working through options, and while there is no final determination, IR remains a possibility,” Rapoport said.
The report came from himself and Tom Pelissero.
The development marks a quick escalation from earlier in the week, when Dobbins missed Wednesday and Thursday’s practices.
At that point, the team had not revealed the full severity of the injury.
Dobbins’ injury stems from a hip-drop tackle last Thursday against the Raiders, a play that left him frustrated enough to take to X and call for the move to be banned.
Dobbins ranks fifth in the NFL with 772 rushing yards and has been a huge part of Denver’s offense so far this season.
Broncos Have Until Saturday to Decide on Injured Reserve
While Dobbins has officially been ruled out for Week 11, the next major decision comes quickly.
The Broncos must determine by Saturday afternoon whether to place him on injured reserve.
If he is moved to IR before Sunday, the Chiefs game will count toward a required four-game absence.
Placing Dobbins on IR would sideline him for matchups against the Chiefs, Commanders, Raiders, and Packers.
He would be eligible to return Week 16 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Head coach Sean Payton acknowledged that discussions are ongoing.
“Nothing has been decided yet, and at some point there will be more clarity with him and some of these other players,” Payton said earlier this week.
Denver’s Week 12 bye gives the team a small cushion, but if the injury is significant enough to keep him out multiple weeks, the IR designation becomes more likely.
RJ Harvey Set to Take On Lead Role
“With JK Dobbins potentially headed to Injured Reserve, all eyes turn to RJ Harvey,” Rapoport said.
RJ Harvey has already flashed his dynamic potential in limited work.
Payton praised Harvey’s running style, durability, and readiness to step into a larger role:
“When we drafted him, it was his running skillset, and he had a lot of touches at Central Florida,” Payton said.
“You are starting to see him grow in front of our eyes, and he will have more opportunities in this game.”
Tyler Badie will likely mix in as a third down guy, while Jaleel McLaughlin could be active as well.
Sunday’s divisional matchup against the Chiefs carries major playoff implications for both teams and Harvey has a huge opportunity to step up and flourish in the RB1 role.
More Details Surface on L'Jarius Sneed’s Indictment: Titans Face Potential Crisis
Last week, amongst the fray of the Tennessee Titans many issues and struggles on the field, the franchise came face-to-face with a personnel issue beyond it; not only that, but it took place in an entirely different state. L'Jarius Sneed, ne of the team's go-to defensive veterans, in spite of injuries that have kept his playing time limited to spurts, was indicted in Texas on an issue stemming back to the final month of last year.
Prior Issues
On December 6, 2024, cornerback Sneed and Tekonzae Warmek Williams — who is said to be Sneed's personal assistant -— were each indicted for allegedly firing a weapon at a car dealership in the Lone Star State. While Sneed claimed to Titans' Paul Kuharsky that is he no longer affiliated with Williams, his plea only appears less and less likely in light of consistent new information. The latest of which is perhaps the most telling.
As the Titans division duel with the Houston Texas (ironically enough) approaches this weekend, a new break regarding Sneed's situation has hit the news waves. Reportedly, just minutes prior to the aforementioned alleged shooting, surveillance video captured the CB driving in a car in the immediate relevant area.
The Footage
In an article by AP Pro Football writer Teresa Walker, it is stated that Sneed "can be seen getting out of the Lamborghini, then using crutches to walk past the men [who were shot at] and up stairs into the dealership at 3:22 p.m. on that date. Sneed walks out about a minute later in the video."
Further, Sneed "also can be seen in separate surveillance video at a gas station at the same time as the two men. In the video, Sneed walks in from a gas pump, goes to a register and then walks back to the same car when Christian Nshimiyimana and Avi Ahmed were inside."
"Detectives also confirmed Sneed’s identity from surveillance video from several locations," Walker said.
How this instance will impact the Titans' defensive secondary means very little; not only because the team has gone so long without him in the rotation already, but because the severity of the issue, and the mounting negative evidence within it, suggests that the team may be better off entirely regardless of the impending resolution.
With new evidence unfolding on a daily basis, it'll likely be a while before Tennessee knows Sneed's future either way. All that can be done now is to assume that he won't return on focus on winning with what remains.
