J.K. Dobbins has battled injuries his entire career, but 2025 felt different. He was finally healthy, productive, and dominating the Denver Broncos’ backfield until he wasn’t. Now, with a 10-2 record and a playoff run in sight, the question isn’t just about his recovery. It’s about whether the Broncos can keep winning without him.
Will J.K. Dobbins Return for the Playoffs?
Dobbins joined his third team in 2025 and was putting together one of the best campaigns of his career. His 77 yards per game marked a new career high, but he lasted just 10 games before a foot injury derailed his season. NFL insiders Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport reported that he will require season-ending surgery and will remain on injured reserve for the rest of the year.
While this ends his regular season, a postseason return isn’t impossible. Pelissero added that doctors believe there is a slight chance Dobbins could return if Denver makes a run to the Super Bowl. The Broncos sit at 10-2 with an active nine-game winning streak entering Week 14, so playing deep into January is a realistic goal. Whether Dobbins can heal in time remains the biggest question mark.
Making a run through the AFC playoffs will be tougher without their lead back, as Dobbins was elite before the injury. He currently ranks 13th among all running backs in PFSN’s Impact Rankings with an impressive five yards per carry average. His absence forces rookie RJ Harvey into a larger role, with Jaleel McLaughlin serving as the primary backup.
Harvey currently ranks 53rd on that same list, so he hasn’t matched Dobbins’ impact yet. However, the rookie will have a massive opportunity to grow over the final five weeks of his first season. This stretch will determine if he can carry the load heading into the playoffs.
The next test comes in Week 14, when the Broncos face the struggling Las Vegas Raiders. Denver is trying to keep pace with the New England Patriots, who moved to 11-2 ahead of their game. If the Broncos defeat the Raiders, they can even things up in the race for the AFC’s top seed. Denver has won both games since losing Dobbins, and they need to keep that streak alive to secure home-field advantage.