JK Dobbins Injury Update: When Will RB Be Back and Return to Broncos?

The Broncos are sitting pretty in the AFC West with a 10-2 record entering Week 14, but things aren’t perfect in Denver. The Broncos are currently without their leading rusher, JK Dobbins, as Dobbins went down with a foot injury in November. Broncos fans and fantasy football owners are currently asking when Dobbins will return and be back on the football field. Below, we will deliver a Dobbins injury update and look at a potential return date.

🩹 When will JK Dobbins return and be back with Broncos?

Dobbins was placed on injured reserve on Nov. 15 as it was determined he needed foot surgery. The Denver running back is believed to have suffered a Lisfranc injury, which involves torn ligaments in the mid-foot area.

It was initially believed that Dobbins would be out for the remainder of the season, but there has been buzz in recent weeks that the RB could make a return before the Broncos’ season comes to a close.

Denver head coach Sean Payton has said that Dobbins returning this season was a possibility, and Dobbins himself has been hinting at a speedy recovery on social media.

Dobbins also dubbed himself “Mr. Comback” on Instagram.

⏳ How long will JK Dobbins be out for?

The Broncos have not said directly whether or not Dobbins had Lisfranc surgery. Recovery from Lisfranc surgery is quite lengthy, as it can take up to a year to recover from.

That timeline does not jive with the buzz that Dobbins could be back this season. So, it’s possible that Dobbins had more of a minor foot ligament surgery than the traditional Lisfranc surgery.

Foot ligament surgery recovery timelines vary, but the earliest most athletes are able to return is around the three-month mark.

Dobbins was injured on Nov. 7, so the quickest he could return given that timeline would be Feb. 7. That would be just in time for the Super Bowl, which is Feb. 8, 2026.

Perhaps Dobbins’ injury was not nearly as bad as it was originally believed to be, and he truly is ready to make a miraculous comeback down the stretch for the Broncos. But, it is much more likely that this is wishful thinking on the part of Dobbins and the Broncos, and that the running back’s season is unfortunately over.

Nonetheless, here is a look at the Broncos’ schedule down the stretch of the regular season, and a look at potential playoff dates.

• Week 16 Sunday, Dec. 14: Jacksonville Jaguars at Denver Broncos
• Week 17 Thursday, Dec. 25: Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs
• Week 18 Saturday, Jan. 3 or Sunday, Jan. 4: LA Chargers at Denver Broncos
• Wild Card Playoffs: Saturday, Jan. 10, Sunday, Jan. 11 or Monday, Jan. 12
• Divisional Round Playoffs: Saturday, Jan. 17 or Sunday, Jan. 18
• AFC Championship Game: Sunday, Jan. 25
• Super Bowl 60: Sunday, Feb. 8

🏈 Will JK Dobbins return for the fantasy football playoffs?

Dobbins is still rostered in 41 percent of Yahoo! fantasy football leagues, but it is not looking good for his return in time for the fantasy playoffs. Most fantasy playoffs start in Week 15 of the season, and wrap up in Week 17 of the season. If Dobbins does return at all, it will likely be during the NFL Playoffs in late January or early February.

Dobbins is the Broncos’ leading rusher on the season with 772 yards on the ground. He was going around Round 7, Round 8 or Round 9 in most fantasy football drafts this past summer.

🐎 Broncos betting odds

The Broncos have had a tremendous season thus far and are among the favorites to win it all. Super Bowl odds currently have them at +1200. Only six teams have shorter odds.

Denver is +470 to win the AFC and is -550 to win the AFC West at the best NFL betting sites.

Their win total projection is currently 12.5 victories, with juice on the Over.