Denver Broncos

Denver Broncos Injury Updates: J.K. Dobbins Ruled OUT for AFC Championship

The Denver Broncos will not have starting running back J.K. Dobbins for the crucial AFC Championship Game. He would've been a game-changer for Denver.

Rich Kurtzman

23 Jan 2026 — 6 min read

A drawing of J.K. Dobbins by Rich Kurtzman.

Bo Nix going down with a broken ankle in the Divisional Round win was a bad break, but getting running back J.K. Dobbins back for the AFC Championship Game would've been a huge boost to the Denver Broncos.

Instead, the Broncos listed Dobbins as out on Friday ahead of when Denver hosts the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game this Sunday.

With Dobbins out, the offense will have to rely on backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham and rookie RJ Harvey as the leading running back.

On the positive side of the Denver Broncos injury updates, center Luke Wattenberg was a full participant this week and will likely play, and receiver Pat Bryant was a full participant on Thursday and Friday, too. Bryant has no injury designation and Wattenberg is questionable to play.

Will J.K. Dobbins play in the AFC Championship?

J.K. Dobbins is out for the AFC Championship this Sunday in Denver as he continues to recover from the lisfranc injury he sustained in early November.

The Broncos opened his 21-day practice window earlier this week, but they did not activate him and make a roster move to elevate him.

Rewind to Monday, and Mike Klis of 9News said of Dobbins, "The Patriots, highly, highly doubt it. In fact, there's no way he's playing against the Patriots." He also said there is an "outside chance" of Dobbins playing in the Super Bowl.

Meanwhile, other beat reporters at practice are saying he looks "really good" and Jeff Legwold of ESPN said "I think that could be a legitimate call at the end of the week," to Altitude Sports Radio on Thursday.

It's unfortunate that Dobbins is out because he was one of the best running backs in the NFL for the first 10 weeks of the season, then his foot was broken by a hip drop tackle against the Raiders.

He had 772 rushing yards and four touchdowns, with rookie RJ Harvey taking the bulk of the carries around the goal line. Dobbins also averaged 5.0 yards per carry this year, which was 14th-best among all running backs, and didn't have a single fumble.

Denver Broncos Full Injury Report for AFC Championship Game

Running back* J.K. Dobbins, foot, OUT
Tight End Lucas Krull, foot, OUT
Linebacker Drew Sanders, ankle, OUT
Wide receiver* Troy Franklin, hamstring, Questionable
Center Alex Forsyth, ankle, Questionable
Center* Luke Wattenberg, shoulder, Questionable
Safety JL Skinner, quad, Questionable
Wide receiver* Pat Bryant, concussion, (-)
Tackle Frank Crum, ankle, (-)

(*) Denotes starter

(-) Denotes No Injury Designation

With Dobbins out, the Broncos will rely on RJ Harvey again

Harvey has been the starting running back since Week 10, including a five-game touchdown scoring streak from Week 13-17.

The rookie is Denver's leading scorer by far with 12 touchdowns; 7 TDs on the ground and 5 through the air. He's versatile and dynamic, but his speed is suited for running outside the tackles rather than between them.

Jaleel McLaughlin would again be in line to get some carries this Sunday, too.

But it should be noted that Sean Payton only ran the ball 10 times with his running backs on Saturday against the Bills. Nix ran the ball 12 times, more than both of them combined, and threw the ball 46 times.

Meanwhile, the New England Patriots are 6th in total rushing yards allowed—102.9 per game—though they give up 4.2 yards per carry, which is 13th. It's an area in which Denver could be able to exploit the up-and-coming Pats defense.

However, it should be noted that the Pats defense is getting hot at the right time. They gave up a mere 87 rushing yards to the Chargers and a minuscule 48 rushing yards to the Texans in the first two rounds of the playoffs. It's good to keep in mind LA was mediocre at running this year, and the Texans are a bottom-third rushing team who were forced to pass when they got down in the Divisional Round.

Still, as Aaron Schatz explained earlier this week, the Patriots defensive DVOA has been better than Denver's since Week 10, and really good lately.

Luke Wattenberg Questionable to Start AFC Championship

Center Luke Wattenberg has been a full participant the three days of practice in the lead up to Championship Sunday but is still listed as questionable. If he starts this week, it will be a huge boost to the Broncos offensive line.

Wattenberg has been out since Christmas Day with an injured shoulder. Playing in his place has been backup guard/center Alex Forsyth. But then Forsyth was also injured in the Divisional Round win against the Bills, so third-stringer Sam Mustipher was in.

Forsyth is questionable to play.

With Wattenberg likely playing, it means Denver's getting back the 9th-best run-blocking center according to PFF.

That blocking will help Harvey, and make the Broncos running game all the more tough against a strong Pats front.

Pat Bryant Will Play

Broncos No. 3 receiver Pat Bryant was a full participant on Thursday following a concussion sustained on Saturday. He's ready to go for the AFC Championship Game.

Bryant was important vs. the Bills early before getting injured. He had 3 receptions for 32 yards.

Meanwhile, linebacker Drew Sanders and tight end Lucas Krull, who were full participants, are out this week.

Expect Denver to make some of roster moves before the game.

Patriots Mack Hollins Questionable, Harold Landry OUT

Like Dobbins and Co. from the Broncos, Mack Hollins 21-day practice window opened this week and he was a limited participant on Thursday and was listed as questionable. He seems to be an unlikely participant this week.

Meanwhile, starting linebacker Harold Landry has been listed as out. That's a big blow to the defense. He led the team with 8.5 sacks and 19 QB hits this year.

His absence could help Jarrett Stidham have more time to throw.

Full New England Patriots Injury Report for AFC Championship Game

Linebacker* Harold Landry, knee, Out
Linebacker Marty Mapu, hip, Questionable
Wide receiver* Mack Hollins, abdomen, Questionable
Defensive tackle Joshua Farmer, hamstring, Questionable
Running back Terrell Jennings, passed concussion protocol, Questionable
Running back* TreVeyon Henderson, shoulder, Unspecified
Center* Garrett Bradbury, illness, (-)
Cornerback* Carlton Davis, concussion protocol, (-)
Linebacker* Christian Elliss, hip, (-)
Tight end* Hunter Henry, rest, (-)
Tackle* Morgan Moses, rest, (-)
Tackle Thayer Munford, knee, (-)
Linebacker* Robert Spillane, hand, (-)

(*) Denotes starter

(-) Denotes No Injury Designation

The AFC Championship Game featuring New England vs. Denver kicks off at 1 p.m. MT on Sunday, Jan. 25 at Empower Field at Mile High Stadium on CBS and Paramount+.