Running back J.K. Dobbins hopes he has found a home in Denver.
Still only 26, Dobbins has 634 rushing yards in eight games. That currently has him at third in the NFL, and it’s the most rushing yards through eight games for Broncos tailback since Clinton Portis, who had 793 rushing yards through eight games played in 2003.
It has Dobbins, who signed a one-year deal in June, hoping he’ll get the chance to stick around.
“Far as extension and stuff like that, that doesn’t cross my mind,” Dobbins said Thursday, via Luca Evans of the Denver Post. “But, me just wanting to be here in Denver — yes. I hope to end my career here and be here for the rest of my time in the NFL.”
Dobbins’s contract has a base value of $2.7 million, with up to $2.5 million in incentives. The biggest incentive is a contract that would keep him on the team beyond 2025.
“I want to be in Denver,” Dobbins said. “I love it. I love the fanbase. I think the fanbase and I have a connection. Love my teammates. And I also love Sean Payton. I love the owners.”
Dobbins surely doesn’t love how his career initially played out. Injuries hampered him significantly in 2022 and 2023. Last year, he rushed for 905 yards in 13 games with the Chargers.
This year, he’s averaging 5.3 yards per carry. It’s hard to ignore that kind of performance. And it’s safe to say that, if the Broncos aren’t interested in continuing the relationship, he will have suitors.
The Broncos officially ruled out cornerback Pat Surtain II (pectoral) for Sunday’s game against the Texans.
The team did not place Surtain on injured reserve, hoping he can return at least by Week 13 after the off week.
Surtain is the reigning defensive player of the year.
The Broncos also ruled out wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. (concussion), tight end Nate Adkins (knee) and safety P.J. Locke (neck) for this week.
Surtain, Mims and Adkins did not practice this week, while Locke was limited on Wednesday and Thursday before not practicing on Friday.
Linebacker Dre Greenlaw (quad) does not have an injury designation.
The Texans are set to have wide receivers Nico Collins and Christian Kirk back in the lineup for Sunday’s game against the Broncos.
Collins missed last Sunday’s win over the 49ers with a concussion and Kirk has missed two games with a hamstring injury, but neither player has an injury designation for this weekend.
Running back Woody Marks is also set to play. Marks was limited with a calf injury on Thursday, but returned to full practice on Friday.
The Texans will not activate cornerback Alijah Huzzie (knee) this week. Fullback Jakob Johnson (hamstring), tight end Dalton Schultz (knee, shoulder), defensive lineman Dylan Horton (knee), and defensive lineman Denico Autry (knee) are listed as questionable.
Running back Woody Marks was added to the Texans’ injury report for Thursday’s practice.
Marks was listed as a limited participant due to a calf injury. Defensive ends Denico Autry (knee) and Dylan Horton (knee) were also added with limited designations.
The status of all three players will be updated on Friday and Marks’ absence would be a blow to the team’s offensive backfield for Sunday’s game against the Broncos.
Wide receiver Nico Collins (concussion), wide receiver Christian Kirk (hamstring), fullback Jakob Johnson (hamstring), and safety Jalen Pitre (foot) were all upgraded from limited to full participation. Wide receiver Braxton Berrios (chest) remained limited and tight end Dalton Schultz (knee, shoulder) was the only player out of practice.
The Broncos went 4-0 in October and their kicking game was a significant reason why.
Now, Wil Lutz has been named AFC special theism player of the month.
Lutz hit all six of his field goal attempts in October, including a pair of game-winners. He also connected on all nine of his extra-point attempts.
Additionally, Lutz was one of two kickers to hit two field goals of at least 55 yards during the month.
This is the second time Lutz has been named special teams player of the month with the Broncos, also earning the honor in November 2023.
