ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Denver Broncos have designated rookie running back Jonah Coleman to return from injured reserve. Coleman was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice, putting him on track for a potential Week 7 return.
Coleman impressed throughout training camp with his physical running style and balance. He should slide in as Denver’s No. 3 running back behind J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey, ahead of Tyler Badie, who missed Wednesday’s practice with a thumb injury. With Dobbins ranking 45th out of 54 qualifying running backs in PlayerProfiler’s Yards Created Per Rush metric, the Broncos could turn to Coleman for a spark in their struggling ground game. The rookie flashed in the preseason and again in Week 2, totaling 58 yards and a touchdown on 13 touches against a stout Jaguars defense allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs. He’s an intriguing speculative add who could challenge Dobbins for early-down work and is one Dobbins injury away from a potentially significant workload, while Harvey figures to retain his role as the primary receiving back.
Denver Broncos running back RJ Harvey was held to just seven...
Denver Broncos second-year running back RJ Harvey ...
Denver Broncos running back RJ Harvey (hamstring) was ...
After a lackluster start to the season, Sean Payton is taking over play calling duties from offensive coordinator Davis Webb. The offense ranks No. 27 in points per game and No. 24 in yards per play so far this year.
Jaylen Waddle and Bo Nix should be the biggest beneficiary of the change. Waddle, in particular, is averaging only 11 ppr points per game and ranks No. 73 in yards per target among qualified NFL wide receivers. This change can only help Denver’s offensive weapons.
Per Schefter, RB Jonah Coleman will miss at least four games with the high-ankle sprain he sustained in the Week 2 matchup against the Jaguars. Coleman had 10 carries for 39 yards, 3 catches for 19 yards, and 1 rushing TD. Coleman filled in for the inactive R.J. Harvey (hamstring) and stepped up after starter J.K. Dobbins left in the 3rd quarter due to a hamstring injury.
Coleman is expected back for the Week 7 game at the Arizona Cardinals. Until then, the Broncos backfield will be led by the tandem of veteran Dobbins and 2nd-year pass-catching specialist Harvey, with Tyler Badie rounding out the depth. Fantasy football managers can continue to stash Coleman, PlayerProfiler’s RB 53 in seasonal-redraft, on (deeper) benches, especially if they have an available IR slot. ~Jason Diaz
It’s a case of unfortunate timing for rookie running back Jonah Coleman, who looked poised to seize control of Denver’s backfield after a strong performance in last week’s win, only to miss Thursday’s practice due to an ankle injury. In corresponding news, opening-day starter J.K. Dobbins and second-year back RJ Harvey both practiced in full and are expected to lead the backfield Sunday against the Rams.
Through two weeks, Dobbins and Harvey have struggled to find traction. Coincidentally, they both rank 41st in Playerprofiler’s yards created metric with 52, though Harvey’s sample size is significantly smaller on just three carries compared to Dobbins’ 18. Harvey profiles as the higher-upside back, boasting a 96th-percentile college dominator rating (44%), and while he has out snapped Dobbins so far (53% to 35.8%), he has yet to translate that usage into consistent fantasy production. Assuming Coleman sits, veteran Tyler Badie is expected to step into the RB3 role, though he remains primarily a depth piece.
Tom Pelissero later revealed that J.K. Dobbins is “good” after leaving Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury. Jonah Coleman will be a popular waiver wire add with both Dobbins and RJ Harvey recovering from hamstring injuries. Coleman can be expected to see 15 plus touches per game as long as both of them are OUT.
Expect to see Tyler Badie function as the 3rd down back until Harvey returns, which provides Coleman with the lucrative early down and short-yardage role, making him a flex play if Dobbins and Harvey are inactive for Week 3.
RB R.J. Harvey hurt his hamstring during or immediately after the Week 1 loss against the Kansas City Chiefs, where he had 3 carries for 18 yards and 4 receptions for 23 yards. Harvey missed Wednesday’s practice and was a limited participant on Thursday and Friday and will miss today’s matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
This situation creates opportunity for 4th-Round rookie RB Jonah Coleman, as Harvey played 51% of the offensive snaps in Week 1, while starting RB J.K. Dobbins only played 40% as the Broncos flipped over into comeback mode. Coleman has the pass blocking chops to slip into Harvey’s satellite back role, but starter Dobbins will also absorb some of Harvey’s snaps and is a Top-20 RB on PlayerProfiler for Week 2. ~Jason Diaz
