Well, this sucks.
According to ESPN’s lead NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Denver Broncos are placing rookie running back Jonah Coleman on the short-term IR due to a high-ankle sprain that he suffered during their Week 2 victory over the Jaguars. Schefter states that Coleman is only expected to miss the mandatory 4 games and is expected back for their game vs. the Arizona Cardinals in late October.
Coleman left the game early vs. the Jaguars, but would later return and have a big role in the offense after veteran running back JK Dobbins left the game with a hamstring injury. He would go on to play through the high ankle sprain, score his first career rushing touchdown, and ice the game late for the Broncos. It was an impressive showing at the time, and now that it’s known he played through a high ankle sprain, it’s even more impressive.
Advertisement
After his showing this past Sunday, many, myself included, wondered if Coleman should be named the starting running back. He played well and gave the Broncos a much-needed threat on the ground and allowed them to ice the game late, which is something they struggled to do in the past. Now, Coleman will be sidelined for four games, and now the Broncos must rely on their remaining backs to lead their run game.
Veteran JK Dobbins will lead the way and will look to bounce back after a slow start to the season. He was removed from the injury report this week and appears good to go for Sunday Night. Second year back, RJ Harvey missed last Sunday’s game due to a hamstring injury, but like Dobbins, he is off the injury report and good to go. We saw Harvey play a significant number of snaps in Week 1, and now with Coleman sidelined, I anticipate that to continue vs. the Rams and moving forward. Look for Tyler Badie to come in on third downs as a pass blocker, and occasionally contribute as a pass catcher, as he did vs. the Jaguars when he had a 27-yard gain. Preseason star Cody Schrader remains on the practice squad as depth.
The Broncos will need all three of these backs to play at a high level moving forward. A consistent run game will make their play-action pass game more dangerous while also allowing their defense to get some much-needed rest.
This sucks for Coleman, but thankfully, it is only a four-week absence, and the rookie will be back and likely contribute to their postseason run as we head deeper into the season.