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J.K. Dobbins #27 of the Denver Broncos reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Denver Broncos listed running back J.K. Dobbins as a non-participant in the first practice session of Week 11 as he navigates a foot injury. Broncos head coach Sean Payton’s comments about Dobbins drew even more attention ahead of a pivotal Week 11.
Dobbins was injured in Week 10 on “Thursday Night Football” on a tackle by Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson. Dobbins downplayed it, but Denver is considering injured reserve.
For now, Dobbins and the Broncos remain in a noteworthy state of limbo.
GettyJ.K. Dobbins #27 of the Denver Broncos greets teammates before facing the Las Vegas Raiders.
Payton met with the media to begin Week 11, and he noted that the Broncos have not yet decided whether or not to place Dobbins on injured reserve. They already drew attention for not placing him on IR to begin the week amid a flurry of roster decisions.
“Nothing’s been decided yet,” Payton told reporters on November 12. “At some point, there’ll be more clarity with him and some of these other players.”
Dobbin, 26, has rushed for 772 yards and 4 touchdowns on 153 carries this season.
In addition to Dobbins, the Broncos are without star cornerback and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain II and starting right guard Ben Powers. While Payton was not definitive, other comments made during his media availability suggested Dobbins would miss time.
GettyRJ Harvey #12 of the Denver Broncos scores a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Payton suggested rookie second-round pick RJ Harvey could receive a larger workload in Week 11, when the Broncos will face the Kansas City Chiefs. That may hold, even if Dobbins manages to play.
However, Payton also named-dropped former coaching staff darling Jaleel McLaughlin, who has played in one game this season, Week 6 against the New York Jets.
Rookie wideout Pat Bryant, the Broncos’ third-round pick, also received kudos.
“When we drafted him, it was his running skill set and, man, he had a lot of touches,” Payton told media members. “Then, you have experience in a guy like Jaleel, who’s explosive and has been chomping at the bit.
“I think sometimes players are not held back. But when you’re watching Pat Bryant grow right in front of our eyes, and you’re starting to see that with RJ – and, obviously, he’ll have more opportunities here um in this game. So, yeah. He’s built. When you see his frame, he’s built to last, and that’s important.”
Payton’s recent comments closely align with what the veteran head coach said about Harvey’s size before the season. Durability is even more important for Harvey, a former who tore his ACL in college, with Dobbins injured.
“I know the question is, ‘Is he a three-down back?’ Well, he’s going to play on third down,” Payton told reporters in May. “If you watch his stature … he’s put together pretty well. So, there’s a difference between a small runner and a short runner. We’re not interested in the small runners, but we’re okay with the short runners.”
Harvey has 214 yards and 2 TDs on 50 carries, adding another 175 yards and 4 scores on 25 receptions.
How the Broncos balance Harvey’s workload if Dobbins sits is the key against the Chiefs.
The New Orleans Saints have heard plenty of noise this season, but none louder than the recent wave of criticism labeling them a “washed-up team.” Analysts pointed to inconsistent performances, a turbulent stretch of injuries, and a midseason identity crisis as reasons the franchise had supposedly fallen out of relevance. But inside the locker room, that narrative hasn’t sat well—especially with quarterback Tyler Shough, who has quickly become one of the most vocal figures pushing back.
Shough, who stepped into a more prominent role this season, addressed the growing criticism following practice this week. His response was sharp, confident, and a reminder that the Saints don’t plan on fading quietly.
“There’s always going to be people ready to write your story for you,” Shough said. “They want to say we’re washed, that we’re done, that our window’s closed. That’s fine—they can talk. Our job is to prove that the story isn’t finished.”
Despite struggles, Shough emphasized that the team’s issues aren’t signs of decline but part of the natural evolution of a roster dealing with adversity. He pointed out that close losses have overshadowed strong stretches of play and highlighted the team’s commitment to growth rather than resignation.
“We’ve had games where one play flips everything,” he said. “People outside see the record. We see the details—the adjustments we’ve made, the fight we’ve shown, the progress behind the scenes. If being ‘washed-up’ means we’re hungry, angry, and working harder every day, then I’ll take that label.”
Coaches and teammates echoed his sentiment, praising Shough for bringing calm leadership
Shough ended his remarks with a message that resonated far beyond the players’ meeting room.
“We hear everything,” he said. “But we’re not here to replay the past or accept anyone else’s version of who we are. We’re here to write the next chapter—and we’re not close to done.”
The Saints may be facing doubts, but if Tyler Shough’s energy is any indication, they have no intention of letting this season become a eulogy. Instead, they’re treating it as a challenge—and a chance to prove the critics wrong.