The Denver Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett confirmed that the team’s leading running back Javonte Williams suffered a season-ending injury in Sunday’s 23-32 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.
“Losing Javonte is so unfortunate, a dynamic player in this league,” said Hackett without offering details about the 22-year-old’s injury.
Williams went down with a right knee injury early in the third quarter after being tackled by the Raiders’ defense during a run attempt. He had to be helped to the sidelines and was then carted off to the locker room following a brief checkup. Reportedly, the second-year back tore both his ACL and LCL.
Throughout the first four weeks, Javonte Williams led the Broncos in rushing with 204 yards on the ground while also making 16 catches for 76 yards. As a rookie, Williams had 903 rushing yards and four TDs despite not being the starting RB.
With Williams out, the Broncos are expected to turn to veteran Melvin Gordon III. The team also signed RB Latavius Murray off the Saints’ practice squad to add depth to the position.
Bad news for the Broncos after the Raiders game didn’t only end with losing Williams for the remainder of the campaign. Their outside linebacker Randy Gregory also suffered a knee injury on Sunday and will have to undergo surgery. However, the team expects Gregory to return later in 2022.
