The Denver Broncos are experiencing a remarkable resurgence, and their upcoming game on November 16 is set to be a crucial moment in the 2025 NFL season. As they prepare for their Week 11 clash against archrivals the Kansas City Chiefs, who hold a record of 5-4, the Broncos boast an impressive record of 8-2, fueled by a seven-game winning streak. This positions them at the pinnacle of the AFC West, with a notable 2½ game lead over the reigning conference champions.
However, the Broncos face a significant challenge as they will be without running back J.K. Dobbins, their most exceptional offensive contributor, when they take on Kansas City’s strong sixth-ranked defense. Dobbins was ruled out on Friday after failing to practice for three consecutive days due to a foot injury. Subsequently, he has been placed on injured reserve and reportedly requires surgery that could end his season, following his injury during a narrow 10-7 victory against the Las Vegas Raiders on November 6.
Dobbins’ injury continues a troubling pattern for the player, who was selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft by the Baltimore Ravens. After missing the entire 2021 season due to a torn ACL and almost all of 2023 with a ruptured Achilles, Dobbins managed to appear in 13 games with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024 and played in each of Denver’s first ten games this year before suffering another setback.
As the team heads into this vital matchup, Dobbins’ statistics reveal his importance to the Broncos’ offense. With 772 rushing yards, he ranks fifth in the NFL, significantly outpacing any of his teammates. His 164 touches more than double those of the rookie RB RJ Harvey, and he leads the team with 809 total yards from scrimmage, well ahead of WR Courtland Sutton with 590.
The Broncos’ running back depth chart will feature RJ Harvey and Tyler Badie following Dobbins’ departure, along with Jaleel McLaughlin and Deuce Vaughn from the practice squad. While losing a player of Dobbins’ caliber is undoubtedly a tough blow, the team’s recent performance offers hope that they can continue their winning streak and secure their position in the playoff race. As they prepare for this important matchup against the Chiefs, the Broncos remain focused on maintaining their momentum and proving their dominance in the AFC West.