When J.K. Dobbins limped off the field in the third quarter of Sunday’s 20-13 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, a familiar pit formed in the stomachs of Broncos fans everywhere. The veteran running back grabbed at his hamstring and headed to the sideline, and that was the last anyone saw of him in uniform for the rest of the afternoon.
Dobbins finished the day with 10 carries for 36 yards before the early exit. Without him, and with RJ Harvey already ruled out before kickoff due to his own hamstring issue, rookie Jonah Coleman was asked to carry the load down the stretch. Coleman answered the call, finishing with 10 carries for 39 yards and the go-ahead touchdown that put Denver up 20-13 midway through the fourth quarter.
Had Dobbins’ injury been anything serious, Coleman likely would have been in line to start next Sunday night against the Los Angeles Rams. But luckily for Denver, the early reports are encouraging.
Broncos RB JK Dobbins, who left Sunday’s win over the Jaguars with a hamstring injury, is “good”, source said. They face the Rams next Sunday night.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 21, 2026
The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero reported on Monday that a source told him Dobbins is “good.” The positive update is a relief, but it doesn’t erase the bigger picture concern that has followed Dobbins for his entire career. He has missed at least seven games in four of his last five NFL seasons. Most recently, a Lisfranc foot sprain ended his 2025 campaign and kept him out for the final seven regular-season games and the entire playoff run, including the AFC Championship Game loss to New England.
Sean Payton called bringing Dobbins back this offseason a “priority above all others.” Dobbins entered camp determined to flip the script. On the first day of training camp back on July 31, he stood in front of the Denver media and made a promise that quickly went viral.
“This year, there won’t be anything for people to say,” Dobbins said. “I’m going to play all 17 games, give everything I have to this team, and I’ll be there every single week. I’ll even pinky promise all of you.”
Two games in, that pinky promise is already being tested. The good news is that this one appears minor. The bad news is that Dobbins’ track record means every tweak and every early exit will carry more weight than it would for most players. And if there ever comes a week where he can’t suit up, Coleman showed Sunday that he’s more than capable of stepping into the spotlight.
For now, all signs point to Dobbins being available against the Rams. Broncos fans will be holding him, and that pinky, to it.
