NOVEMBER 26: Sean Payton also did not dismiss a Dobbins return from a Lisfranc injury. Not generally forthcoming on injuries, the veteran HC said (via the Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel) a return “has a chance” to take place. The Broncos have five injury activations remaining, not using them on Patrick Surtain or Alex Singleton — who are both on track to return in Week 13 — and would receive two more if/once they make the playoffs.
Dobbins has told some in the building he wants to be back by the time Denver’s playoff docket starts, per Gabriel. Based on previous reporting, that sounds quite optimistic. But the prospect of the injury-prone running back not being shut down does provide some intrigue for the Broncos’ backfield, which is attempting to replace one of this season’s most productive runners.
NOVEMBER 23: J.K. Dobbins‘ latest injury has him unavailable for the foreseeable future. The veteran running back has his eyes set on a Broncos return if their season goes the distance, however. 
A Lisfranc injury suffered earlier this month will leave Dobbins sidelined through at least the remainder of the regular season. Surgery has already taken place, and a lengthy recovery process is underway as a result. If all were to go well on that front, Dobbins could find himself available at the tail end of the playoffs.
Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post reports there is a “hope” Dobbins will be able to return in the event the Broncos reach the Super Bowl. That would amount to a recovery timeline of roughly three months, something which would fall well short of how long severe Lisfranc injuries require to heal. Even a less severe version of the injury will require a notable period out of game action.
“If it’s a more subtle injury, it’s potentially something you can rehab more quickly and get back on your feet quicker,” Dr. Nicholas Strasser told Gabriel (while adding he is not involved in Dobbins’ particular case). “It’s not totally unrealistic for February, thinking through the timeline. A lot of things would have to go his way and probably have to have a lot of luck as well.”
Indeed, a Super Bowl appearance representing the best-case scenario in this situation illustrates how unlikely it is to take place. The Broncos are on their bye week, but with a 9-2 record the AFC West leaders are certainly in the mix with respect to contenders for a championship in 2025. The team’s running game will be determined in large part by the play of second-round rookie RJ Harvey, who has recorded 469 yards from scrimmage and scored six total touchdowns this season.
Injuries have been a consistent issue throughout Dobbins’ career. The 26-year-old had been enjoying a strong debut campaign with the Broncos (5.0 yards per carry, four touchdowns) before going down. Dobbins is a pending free agent, and another short-term contract is no doubt in store given the time he will miss down the stretch. At the moment, at least, the door is nevertheless open to him making a final contribution to the Broncos should they parlay their performances to date into a championship run.
Is he returning to watch from home?
Yes, this is the only thing this could mean.
Pretty hilarious that people still fail to give Denver any credit, even though they’re 9-2 and have lost two games by a combined 4 points. These same people glaze the patriots though, even after they’ve already lost to the raiders and could barely beat a paltry bengals team with one of the worst defenses in the nfl.
It’s not Mike Vrabel’s fault that he is a much more likable person than Sean Payton.
Haha……Superbowl return, he needs to be ready to watch the game, because that offense isn’t going anywhere, and that defense isn’t going to make it through the playoffs
That offense still put up more pts than the patriots did against the bengals and considerately more than the eagles did against Dallas, yet everyone says those offenses are better? All while leading the league in drops. Weird narrative, winning is winning.
Presumptive hahaha.
Talking about defense, how about those Houston Texans,may be the best team in afc. There defense ranks up there, THE NUMBER 1 defense in the whole nfl this year so far. No one looking at them but you know they are only 2 games behind Indy colts, and they got 2 dates to play each other. The Texans been beat up with injuries all year,wide recievers are coming back as is stroud also. The Texans may be the team, that teams don’t wanna play down the stretch. COULD WE SEE HOUSTON GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL. WHAT DID PEOPLE SAY DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS.