The Denver Broncos signed free-agent running back J.K. Dobbins back in June, well ahead of training camp, but the team chose not to do much with him in the preseason. Dobbins did not carry the ball once in the preseason.
Dobbins sat on the free-agent market for three months before getting a deal. It was a curious decision that the Los Angeles Chargers chose not to bring him back after a successful season there, which included four missed games.
Sean Payton is known for playing his starters in the preseason, but he didn't give much work to Dobbins. Is this because the team didn't want to expose him to an injury? Dobbins does have a rough injury history. Did the team want to give more work to its other running backs, knowing Dobbins' spot was safe?
There could be several reasons why this was the route the team took, but it's hard to say now what the team plans to do with him when the season kicks off. He's going to be on the roster, but will he be RB1 or more of a role player? The Broncos had a spirited competition at the running back position and it's a shame they likely won't be able to just keep all six of their backs in some capacity.
Payton put ILB Dre Greenlaw and RB J.K. Dobbins in a group of players who he's not worried about despite only a couple snaps Week 1 for Dobbins and no preseason run for Greenlaw.
— Parker Gabriel (@ParkerJGabriel) August 23, 2025
"(Greenlaw) had a great week of work last week and we feel like he'll be ready to go."
For what it's worth, Dobbins did not play in the preseason last year with the Chargers either and he still rushed for 905 yards in 13 games.
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The Broncos will have some tough decisions to make with the running backs on the roster before cuts are due, which stands at 2:00 pm MT on Tuesday. Dobbins and second-round pick RJ Harvey are going to make the roster, but out of Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime, Tyler Badie and Blake Watson, at least two of them will likely be let go.
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