J.K. Dobbins ruled out for AFC Championship game in huge Broncos crusher

J.K. Dobbins won’t play in Sunday’s AFC Championship game. 

The Broncos had hoped the star running back could return against the Patriots in Denver, but he was ruled out Friday as he recovers from a foot injury he suffered in mid-November. 

Dobbins, who missed the Broncos’ final seven games of the regular season and divisional-round win over the Bills, had logged three straight “limited” practices this week, giving Mile High faithful hope that he would return for Sunday’s bout.

In 10 games before the injury, Dobbins ran for 772 yards with four touchdowns while holding down the starting running back job for the Broncos.

RJ Harvey, a second-round pick in last April’s draft, took over the RB1 role with Dobbins sidelined. 

The rookie ran for 540 yards with seven touchdowns and became a big part of the Broncos’ pass game, catching 47 passes during the regular season. 

Last week against the Bills, Harvey ran for just 20 yards, but went for 46 yards through the air on five catches. 

The latest Dobbins injury adds to a long list of ailments he’s dealt with throughout his NFL career. 

Dobbins has played in just 47 regular-season games since being drafted in 2020 by the Ravens.

In 2021, Dobbins missed the entire season with a torn ACL and two years later played just one game in the 2023 season after suffering a torn Achilles during Week 1. 

Dobbins is far from the highest-profile Bronco missing Sunday’s game. 

Quarterback Bo Nix will be sidelined after he fractured a bone in his ankle during the final drive against the Bills. 

Backup Jarrett Stidham, who hasn’t attempted a regular season pass since 2023, will be under center in his place.