J.K. Dobbins’ comeback attempt came up short of being back for the AFC Championship Game.
The Broncos running back, on injured reserve since November with a Lisfranc injury in his left foot, was ruled out Friday.
He had been a limited participant in practice all week but did not do enough to get cleared to play against New England with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line.
Dobbins had expressed confidence he’d be back earlier in the playoffs, but from the time of his injury in the middle of the season, sources said the most likely path for him to actually get back on the field was if Denver made it to the Super Bowl.
That could still be in play if the Broncos can get past the Patriots on Sunday and punch a ticket to Santa Clara, California.
A one-week ramp-up from a Lisfranc injury was always going to be a longshot, as Dobbins hadn’t practiced since early November. Still, the fact that he even practiced at all this week was a slight medical marvel in itself. Dr. Nicholas Strasser, an assistant professor of orthopedics at Vanderbilt, told The Denver Post that Lisfranc injuries generally have a timetable of four to six months for recovery — sometimes three to four, depending on the severity of damage to the midfoot area.
“The fact that we’re even having this conversation, I think, is a testament to the rehab team and the athlete to really maintain strength, range of motion, and all those things, even when you can’t fully train,” Strasser told The Post. “So, even just to put yourself in this situation at three months, I think, is a pretty big deal.”
The Broncos will have to support backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham Sunday, then, with the same backfield complement they’ve been trotting out since Dobbins injury: rookie RJ Harvey, veteran Jaleel McLaughlin, and third-down back Tyler Badie. The group combined for just 10 carries for 41 rushing yards against the Bills last weekend.
At the time of his injury, Dobbins was fifth in the NFL in rushing yards with 772, and still finished as Denver’s season leader despite missing seven games.
Dobbins was a limited participant all three days of practice and teammates say he made is presence felt.
“His energy is infectious,” fullback Adam Prentice said. “He’s a great teammate even when he’s down. Just being around, boosting guys and he’s a great player. Regardless of practice, meeting rooms, you can just tell. It’s like, ‘oh, there’s J.K.’. He’s got a great presence.”
Just not this weekend on the game field for the Broncos.
Center of attention. The Broncos appear to be in line to get starting center Luke Wattenberg back from injured reserve Sunday.
Wattenberg will have to be formally activated on Saturday, but there will be a spot available for him when the club formally puts QB Bo Nix (ankle) on injured reserve.
Wattenberg practiced fully all week and is right on track to return from what head coach Sean Payton called a four-week injury when it initially happened.
Incidentally, Alex Forsyth, who has started the past three games in Wattenberg’s absence, is questionable with an ankle injury that’s cost him snaps in each of Denver’s past two games.
One question, then, is if the Broncos roll with three centers on the active roster or consider going with Wattenberg and veteran Sam Mustipher.
“Al is part of the foundation and the fabric of this offensive line room that we’ve been building,” right guard Quinn Meinerz said Friday. … “Sam’s spent a bunch of time here before and he knows what we’re about and what this room is about. I didn’t flinch at all knowing Sam was coming in (the past two games). It’s next man up.
“Excited to have Luke back in the lineup at practice this week and we’ll be ready to go.”
Two others questionable. In addition to Wattenberg and Forsyth, the Broncos listed WR Troy Franklin (hamstring) and S JL Skinner (quad) as questionable for Sunday. Franklin was a limited participant all week after hurting his hamstring and leaving the game in the second quarter vs. Buffalo. Skinner practiced fully Wednesday and Thursday but was limited Friday.
The Broncos will not activate TE Lucas Krull (foot) or LB Drew Sanders (foot) from injured reserve this weekend.
Among those cleared to play is rookie WR Pat Bryant (concussion), who had to progress through the league’s concussion protocol for the second time in five weeks. He was briefly hospitalized after Denver’s Week 16 loss to Jacksonville and sustained a concussion after three snaps Sunday vs. Buffalo.
Bryant wore a Guardian Cap over his helmet in practice throughout the week and could wear it in Sunday.
“His last one, they felt really good right away,” Payton said Friday. “We check the helmet and upgrade the helmet if necessary. He was asymptomatic the very next day.”
In the elements. The Broncos started practice indoors Friday but conducted much of practice outside, Payton said.
The temperature hovered around 10 degrees through the afternoon and snow flurries bobbed on the breeze. It’s expected to be a shade warmer Sunday afternoon, but not by much.
The National Weather Service is forecasting a high of 26 degrees with winds up to 17 miles per hour and a 20% chance of snow flurries.
“Games are impacted more by rain,” Payton said. “Really cold is relative. … We deal with the elements. We’re used to playing in cold weather here, we’re used to playing in nice weather. We’ll be prepared for that.”
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