Broncos RB Javonte Williams says “the plan” is for him to be medically cleared in time for training camp. No surprise there, as Williams put in some work at OTAs. He wouldn’t commit to suiting up for Week 1, saying it’s the Broncos’ decision. The team will certainly use the next two months to assess his readiness. We’ll track Williams’ progress closely in training camp, but for now, our RB rankings assume 14 games for the former Round 2 pick.
Broncos RB Javonte Williams (knee) practiced in a limited capacity during Thursday's OTA session, HC Sean Payton said. These are half-speed, pad-less practices -- and it's unclear exactly what "limited" entails. But the fact that Williams was on the field at all after October's multi-ligament knee injury is encouraging. Payton said earlier this month that he expects Williams to be ready for training camp. We'll continue to keep a close eye on his rehab.
Nick Kosmider of The Athletic believes RB Samaje Perine “should be a fixture of Denver’s offense, regardless of when [Javonte] Williams returns.” It certainly sounds like new HC Sean Payton agrees. “When we signed Samaje, this is a guy that gave us flexibility,” Payton said. “We signed him because we knew he was durable and reliable. We felt like we got another solid runner who’s built in a strong way. There are a lot of things he does well. When we signed him, there was still uncertainty (with Williams). I was taught a long time ago to stack them up at that position. It’s a tough position in our league.” We’ll continue tracking the ACL/LCL rehab for Williams, who looks close to 50/50 for Week 1. For now, Perine’s Round 9 ADP on Underdog Fantasy looks tempting.
Broncos HC Sean Payton said Saturday that he expects RB Javonte Williams (knee) to be ready for the start of training camp. "His rehab is going well," Payton said. "A good chance he’s ready. Hopefully might not start on PUP." Williams is working back from October's multi-ligament knee injury. GM George Paton was optimistic about Williams' availability for Week 1 back in February but was non-commital when discussing the situation again in April. It's unclear if Williams has made significant progress over the last month or if Payton is wearing rose-colored glasses. Williams carries substantial risk until we see him back on the field, but he's reasonably priced at an 8th-round price tag in Underdog drafts.
Broncos GM George Paton said Thursday that RB Javonte Williams (knee) will be back at some point during the 2023 season but doesn't know exactly when. That's a much different tune than Paton was singing back in February, when he said Williams was “on track” to be ready for Week 1. Williams tore his right ACL, LCL, and posterolateral corner in October -- a much more complicated injury than a standard ACL. We'll continue to track his rehab. But, at this point, fantasy drafters should not be expecting Williams to be ready for the start of the season. We currently project him to play 14 games.
The Broncos have agreed to a two-year, $7.5 million deal with RB Samaje Perine. This contract also includes an additional $1 million in potential incentives. Perine makes a lot of sense for the Broncos given the uncertain recovery timeline for RB Javonte Williams, who tore his ACL in Week 4 of 2022 vs. the Raiders. Even if Williams is able to recover in time to play a majority of the 2023 season, Perine stands to shoulder a decent amount of the rushing workload in a Sean Payton-led offense that historically uses a committee approach at RB. The Broncos have invested heavily in their offensive line this offseason as well, inking large contracts with T Mike McGlinchey and G Ben Powers so far. How much this move impacts fantasy will depend on the health of Williams, but this move is far from insignificant, especially if the Broncos don't spend any more on the RB position this offseason.
Broncos RB Javonte Williams is “on track” to suit up for Week 1, per GM George Paton. Speaking at the Combine, Paton shared that Williams has progressed to jogging following an October ACL/LCL tear. We’ll see how the 3rd-year RB fits in new HC Sean Payton’s offense. Regardless, look for the Broncos to add a depth piece or two this offseason. Note that Denver currently holds only 5 draft picks — and none until Round 3 — in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Broncos RB Javonte Williams tore his right ACL in Sunday's loss to the Raiders. That obviously ends his season. Melvin Gordon becomes the obvious name as top candidate to take over the Denver backfield, but Mike Boone has seen significant use each of the past 2 games. He stepped in to run nearly as many routes as Williams and Gordon in Week 3, and then Boone played more than Gordon against the Raiders. Gordon entered Sunday with a neck issue that limited him for a couple of practices, but he finished with a full workout. He did take a 2nd-half trip to the medical tent but returned. We'll see just how the new backfield split plays out. Boone is at least worth a pickup in most fantasy football leagues.
Update: In addition to the torn ACL, Williams also has a torn LCL and posterior lateral corner, sources tell NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. That figures to lengthen Williams' rehab timeline. We'll track his progress.
Broncos RB Javonte Williams is "feared to have suffered a serious knee injury," a source tells NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Williams is scheduled for a Monday MRI to get a better look at the knee, "but there is not a lot of optimism surrounding the injury," Rapoport adds. We should get an official diagnosis on Williams tomorrow.
Broncos HC Nathaniel Hackett said after the loss to the Raiders that RB Javonte Williams will undergo an MRI on his injured right knee on Monday. Hackett had no further update on Williams' injury. But, per ESPN's Jeff Legwold, Williams left the locker room on crutches. We should learn more about his status tomorrow, but this obviously looks like a significant injury. Williams' absence would leave Denver's backfield to Melvin Gordon and Mike Boone.
Update: Mike Klis of 9News of Williams' injury that the "fear is it is serious and he will be sidelined for [an] extended period."
Broncos RB Javonte Williams went down with a right knee injury in the 3rd quarter of Sunday's game vs. the Raiders and was quickly ruled out. We'll update his status as soon as we know more. Williams' absence leaves Denver with RBs Melvin Gordon and Mike Boone.
Broncos RB Javonte Williams led the backfield in Week 3, rushing 15 times for 58 yards. Unfortunately for fantasy owners, Melvin Gordon mixed in for 12 attempts and a goal line score, plus 6 targets (vs. 5 for Williams). Williams added a drop. If there’s a positive here, it’s that he continues to pass the eye test as a tackle-dodger. Pro Football Focus charted him with 5 missed tackles forced against a stout San Francisco defense. He’ll enter a more favorable matchup this Sunday at Vegas.
Broncos RB Javonte Williams had a decent day in Sunday's win over the Texans, rushing for 75 yards on 15 carries (5.0 per attempt) and adding a catch for 10 yards among 4 targets. The better news for Williams -- amid a rough day for the Denver offense on whole -- was that his playing time stood further ahead of Melvin Gordon's in Week 2. Williams played 65% of snaps against Houston, compared with 32% for Gordon. They went 58-41 in the opener. Gordon also saw his route rate dip further from what was already a good-sized gap in Williams' favor. So the role has looked good for Williams drafters. Now we just need Denver's offense to stop being run moronically.
Broncos RB Javonte Williams totaled 108 yards in Monday’s road loss to Seattle. He played 38 snaps (vs. 27 for Melvin Gordon) but was out-carried by the veteran, 7-12. Williams delivered in fantasy on the strength of 11 catches for 65 yards. But his night should have been better, as he fumbled right at the goal line. Gordon actually fumbled in the same spot — so neither guy was benched for the miscue. At bottom, we’re likely headed for more games with heavy rotations going forward. Williams at least looks in peak tackle-breaking shape. Look for his efficient ways to continue Sunday vs. Houston.
Broncos HC Nathaniel Hackett dropped the "hot hand" bomb on Friday when discussing his Javonte Williams/Melvin Gordon backfield. "I've always been a true believer in you want to roll with the hot hand," Hackett said. "One guy gets going, you want to be sure to keep feeding that person. But I think they're going to be great compliments to each other." It's the latest indication that Gordon will remain significantly involved in this backfield, at least out of the gate. We'll get our first look at the work split in Monday night's opener vs. the Seahawks.
Benjamin Allbright, a Broncos insider for KOA Radio in Denver, says those who draft RB Javonte Williams are "gonna be mad." He says it "looks like a 55/45" split between Williams and Melvin Gordon, "with some Mike Boone sprinkled in." Allbright adds that Gordon "is getting the situational work (GL, short yardage, etc)." The fact that we're getting varied reads on the situation from different reporters points to no one really knowing for sure what the Broncos' plan is. The sheer uncertainty adds risk to Williams at his Round 2 ADP and value to Gordon in Round 8.
Search
