Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins remains on injured reserve after suffering a significant foot injury in November, and his availability for the remainder of the postseason hinges entirely on how deep Denver advances. While Dobbins has begun light rehab work, the Broncos have not yet opened his 21-day practice window, leaving his return uncertain as the playoffs continue.
J.K. Dobbins’ Injury Timeline and Recovery Status
Dobbins suffered a Lisfranc ligament injury in his left foot during the third quarter of Denver’s Week 10 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Nov. 6. The injury required surgery and immediately placed his season in jeopardy, given the typical recovery timeline associated with midfoot injuries.
Wednesday marked a notable development in his rehab process. Dobbins was spotted doing individual work on a side field during practice, the first time he has been seen in that setting since the injury. While he did not participate in team drills, the appearance signals progress in his recovery.
The Broncos have still not designated Dobbins to return from injured reserve, meaning he remains ineligible to practice fully or play in games. Without that designation, he will not be available for the upcoming Divisional Round matchup against the Buffalo Bills.
When Could Dobbins Return?
Dobbins’s return is tied directly to Denver reaching the later stages of the postseason. The earliest realistic window would be the AFC Championship Game on Jan. 25, though even that remains optimistic.
The prevailing expectation is that, if Dobbins returns at all this season, it would be for Super Bowl 60 on Feb. 8, roughly 12 weeks after surgery. That timeline aligns more closely with standard recovery benchmarks for Lisfranc injuries, particularly for running backs who rely heavily on cutting and explosion.
Denver must advance past Buffalo and continue winning to even open the door for that possibility.
Broncos’ Rushing Attack Without Dobbins
Dobbins’ absence has been felt. In 10 regular-season games, he rushed for 772 yards on 5.0 yards per carry and was on pace for more than 1,300 yards. Since losing him, the Broncos have played seven full games without their top runner and failed to reach 100 rushing yards in three of those contests.
Running backs RJ Harvey and Jaleel McLaughlin have handled the workload in his place, but the ground game has lacked the same consistency and efficiency.
Head coach Sean Payton has emphasized health and workload management throughout the postseason, and any decision involving Dobbins would prioritize long-term availability over short-term risk.
