Report: Broncos' Dobbins to have season-ending foot surgery

Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins will undergo season-ending foot surgery, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.

The need for surgery stems from Dobbins' injury involving a ligament issue, Rapoport and Pelissero add. The veteran reached out to multiple experts for opinions but surgery was his only option, per Rapoport.

Doctors believe the only way Dobbins could return this season is if the Broncos make the Super Bowl and play into February, according to Pelissero. There was no fracture in the running back's foot, but there was a small tear.

He appeared to sustain the injury while being taken down with a hip-drop tackle in the second half of Denver's win over the Las Vegas Raiders. The league banned the controversial tackling technique in 2024, but the officiating crew didn't throw a flag on the play.

The injury is a difficult blow for Dobbins, who's been the Broncos' leading rusher with 772 yards and four touchdowns.

Injuries have plagued Dobbins in recent years. The 26-year-old will have missed multiple games in each of the past five seasons if he's placed on the reserve list. He sat out four contests in 2024 as a member of the Los Angeles Chargers.

Other key starters for Denver have also been sidelined in recent weeks. Pat Surtain II (pectoral), Alex Singleton (illness), and Jonah Elliss (hamstring) are among the top contributors who won't play Sunday.