Sean Payton’s Comments on J.K. Dobbins Send Very Encouraging Signal

The Denver Broncos received a very welcome update on running back J.K. Dobbins on Friday from head coach Sean Payton. 

 As Sports Illustrated noted, Payton said Dobbins is “getting close” to returning. 

This marks the first meaningful public update on the veteran running back in weeks. 

With the Broncos holding the No. 1 seed in the AFC and preparing for a postseason run, even a brief comment from the head coach carries a ton of weight. 

It immediately reignites hope that J.K. Dobbins could be a huge factor in these playoffs. 

Payton had no comment on his exact timeline for his return, but his words of “getting close” is very optimistic for Denver. 

J.K. Dobbins Finally Trending in the Right Direction

J.K. Dobbins has been sidelined for months after being placed on injured reserve following a foot injury suffered in Week 11 against the Las Vegas Raiders.  

Since then, Denver has offered little clarity on his recovery timeline, making Payton’s latest remark notable despite its lack of detail. 

Many around the league thought Dobbins could be out for the season and that he wouldn’t be on the field until the 2026 season. 

But now that has all changed. 

Calling Dobbins “getting close” is a clear shift from the silence that surrounded the RB’s status throughout the last two months. 

While it remains unlikely Dobbins will be available in the Divisional Round, league sources have indicated that the AFC Championship Game would be a realistic window for his return.

That means the Broncos would have to win just one home game and then Dobbins would be back. 

Broncos Could Use a Spark in the Running Game

The Broncos could really use J.K. Dobbins back on the field. 

Since his injury, Denver’s rushing attack has been very inconsistent. 

RJ Harvey is an explosive weapon and a legitimate home-run threat, but asking the rookie to function as a bell-cow back hasn’t produced consistent results. 

Harvey has struggled at times between the tackles as a grind it out, power back. 

Since Week 10, the Broncos’ rushing attack has taken a noticeable step back. 

With Dobbins in the lineup from Weeks 1-10, Denver averaged 4.8 yards per carry, tied for seventh in the NFL. 

From Weeks 11-17, that number dropped to 4.0 yards per carry, tied for 21st.

Nix bridged the gap from Weeks 11 through 15 by playing his best football as a passer which has kept this Broncos team rolling. 

But without a reliable run game to lean on, cracks began to show in Week 16’s loss to Jacksonville. 

Now, at the most important point of the season, establishing a reliable and consistent run game is crucial in the playoffs. 

Denver’s identity is built around an elite defense and controlling games at home as the No. 1 seed. 

If J.K. Dobbins is able to return and stabilize the run game, it could be a difference-maker on their road to a potential Super Bowl. 

Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Sean Payton’s Comments on J.K. Dobbins Send Very Encouraging Signal appeared first on Heavy Sports.