J.K. Dobbins has battled injuries his entire career, but 2025 felt different. He was finally healthy, productive, and dominating the Denver Broncos’ backfield until he wasn’t. Now, with a 12-2 record and a playoff run in sight, the question isn’t just about his recovery. It’s about whether the Broncos can keep winning without him.
Will J.K. Dobbins Return for the Playoffs?
Dobbins joined his third team in 2025 and was putting together one of the best campaigns of his career. His 77 yards per game marked a new career high, but he lasted just 10 games before a foot injury derailed his season.
NFL insiders Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport reported that he will require season-ending surgery and will remain on injured reserve for the rest of the year.
While this ends his regular season, a postseason return isn’t impossible. Pelissero added that doctors believe there is a slight chance Dobbins could return if Denver makes a run to the Super Bowl.
The Broncos sit at 12-2 with an active 11-game winning streak entering Week 16, so playing deep into January is a realistic goal. Whether Dobbins can heal in time remains the biggest question mark.
Making a run through the AFC playoffs will be tougher without their lead back, as Dobbins was elite before the injury. Before his injury, he ranked 13th among all running backs in PFSN’s Impact Rankings with an impressive five yards per carry average. His absence forces rookie RJ Harvey into a larger role, with Jaleel McLaughlin serving as the primary backup.
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Harvey currently ranks 49th on that same list, so he hasn’t matched Dobbins’ impact yet. However, the rookie will have a massive opportunity to grow over the final five weeks of his first season. This stretch will determine if he can carry the load heading into the playoffs.
The next test comes in Week 16, when the Broncos face the Jacksonville Jaguars, who themselves are a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
Denver Broncos’ Stats and Insights for Week 16
Team: The Denver Broncos have allowed 14 sacks during the current ten-game win streak, while the defense has sacked the opponent 43 times.
QB: Bo Nix has four games with four touchdown passes in his first 31 career starts. He’s tied for third most all-time behind Patrick Mahomes, seven games, and Dan Marino, six games
Offense: RJ Harvey has started the last four games after J.K. Dobbins. Harvey has 51.3 rush yards per game, 18.0 receiving yards per game, and four touchdowns.
Defense: Denver has allowed 23.0 points per game the last three weeks after allowing 17.5 points per game in the first 11 games.
Fantasy: RJ Harvey has seen a snap share north of 60% in three of his last four. Yet, despite the increased playing time, Harvey did not catch a pass for the first time all season last week. The Jaguars allow the second fewest fantasy points per game to running backs.
