The Denver Broncos got the worst possible news involving star running back Javonte Williams, according to a league source not authorized to speak publicly.
Williams tore his anterior cruciate ligament, a magnetic resonance imaging exam revealed Monday, and he will undergo surgery to repair the damage and be placed on injured reserve, ending his season.
What’s Next for the Broncos’ Running Game Following Javonte Williams’ Torn ACL?
Williams is a strong runner who combines quickness, moves, and power, so this represents a major blow to the Broncos’ offense.
He had rushed for 207 yards on 47 carries before getting hurt and has 1,107 career rushing yards and four touchdowns since being drafted in the second round out of North Carolina. At 5-foot-10, 220 pounds, Williams has every trait a team could want for its featured back.
He had gained 28 yards on 10 carries before getting hurt Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders.
There isn’t a lot of good news here, but the Broncos do have depth at the running back position and are moderately well-fortified for this kind of loss.
The Broncos are signing running back Latavius Murray to the active roster from the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad, according to a league source.
Murray, 32, is a former Las Vegas Raiders sixth-round draft pick. Murray rushed for 57 yards on 11 carries with one catch for eight yards and one touchdown.
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They have veteran running back Melvin Gordon, who lost a key fumble in the defeat that was returned for a touchdown.
Normally, Gordon is reliable, though.
Gordon, 29, has gained 139 yards on 37 carries and scored once this season.
He has 6,283 career rushing yards and 54 touchdowns.
The Broncos plan to lean heavily on Gordon and Mike Boone as well as veteran quarterback Russell Wilson.
Boone falls into the reliable backup category but will need to do more as his role will increase with this injury.
He has run it three times this season for 20 yards.
He has 434 career rushing yards for four touchdowns.
While this is an unfortunate turn of events, the Broncos appear to be capable of withstanding the injury and still having some semblance of a running game.