The Denver Broncos are gearing up for one of the toughest matchups of their 2025 season. In Week 11, they’re set to face the Chiefs. Ahead of the game, they received devastating news: star running back J.K. Dobbins has been placed on injured reserve after suffering a foot injury against the Raiders. Still, he remains hopeful.

“For those who will count me out again… Thank you. For those who are with me on this ride… stick with me! You will love what God has planned next 🧡💙,” he wrote on X.

That has sparked hope among fans who believe J.K. Dobbins could still make an impact in the playoffs. He is set to undergo surgery on his injured foot, a procedure that may end his regular season.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, Dobbins tore a ligament and consulted multiple specialists before opting for surgery. Doctors say there remains a slim chance he could return if the Broncos reach Super Bowl LX in February.

The injury occurred late in the third quarter against the Raiders. Defensive end Tyree Wilson dragged Dobbins down, landing his weight on the running back’s legs. Dobbins’ foot got trapped beneath the defender, but no flag was thrown. He limped off the field, later returned, and finished the game with 77 rushing yards.

The blow is especially hard for Dobbins, who has already missed 43 games in his career due to major injuries, including the entire 2021 season. He turns 26 soon and is set to enter free agency in 2026, making the timing of this injury particularly difficult.

Before the injury, Dobbins led the team with 153 carries, 772 rushing yards, and 4 touchdowns. His absence now forces Denver to rely on young running backs. Rookie RJ Harvey will take the biggest load. He has 214 rushing yards and 2 rushing touchdowns. RBs Tyler Badie and Jaleel McLaughlin will also get more chances.

Now, as the Broncos adjust to life without their lead back, another storyline is unfolding, one that highlights Dobbins’ frustration with how the league handled his injury.

NFL ignored J.K. Dobbins’ request

Dobbins’ frustration over the injury began immediately after the game. He blamed a hip-drop tackle for the damage to his foot. The running back took to X, urging the NFL to “ban or at least call the (expletive) hip-drop tackle.” He felt the league failed to protect him from a dangerous play.

The 26-year-old spoke with emotion after the game, saying that every player in the locker room shared his frustration. He expressed confidence that the Broncos would get things back on track. Despite the pain and anger, he stood by his teammates and their goals.

However, the NFL’s video review team did not identify any wrongdoing in the tackle.

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The league reviews every play, yet Tyree Wilson was not named in its Week 10 fines report. By rule, the tackle was deemed fair. Although the running back believed it was illegal, the league found no issue with it.

With the league standing firm on its ruling, the focus now shifts to how the Broncos will adapt without their lead back.

For now, head coach Sean Payton faces a challenging situation.

He has relied on the “next man up” strategy for a long time, but the injuries have continued to pile up. Earlier in the week, he didn’t disclose the team’s direction regarding Dobbins’ injury. The only hope was for things to improve, but they kept deteriorating, and now Dobbins is set to miss the remainder of the regular season.

It will be interesting to see how they move forward now!