All Rights Reserved. A significant injury and a long road back," said Ian Rapoport. 9:11 pm ET. Still, Soppe said an injury like the one Williams suffered Sunday could come with a similar recovery timeline as a standard ACL tear, depending on various surgical and rehab factors. He is a member of the BBWAA and PFWA. Usually, the short-term, the first few months, are a little bit slower when you have a more severe injury than just your basic ACL injury, he said. Hackett said on Monday that the team has a learning platform to get new players acclimated to the Broncos' schemes "so that they can start learning the system like it was day one.". Right now, he's playing.''. March Madness is finally here. Javonte Williams Injury Update Heading Into Week 5. Williams, who entered the game as the Broncos' leader in carries and Legwold's reporting was then corroborated by Broncos insider Benjamin Allbright . But Denvers pass rush suffered without Chubb and with Randy Gregory kept out of the lineup due to a knee injury. Chris McDaniel and Andr Simms, Cape Cod Times. It was really impressive just going through the process. It is a long road back from the kind of knee injury he suffered. He also had 43 catches for 316 yards and another three scores. Injury updates Paton said the Broncos are hopeful running back Javonte Williams , who suffered a major knee injury in Week 4 of last season, can be ready for the start of the season in September. (Jeff Bottari/Getty Images). '', "Obviously seeing Javonte go down, that hurt,'' quarterback Russell Wilson said. Williams tore his ACL and LCL in Week 4 last season and underwent season-ending surgery. It usually requires what we call surgical repair, where you can stitch those tissues and repair them back to the bone, or what we call a reconstruction, where you cant repair it, (so) youve got to reconstruct those ligaments with some kind of graft tissue; usually, tissue from a cadaver. Since replacing Nathaniel Hackett, Payton has fielded several questions about Wilsons 2022 season, a forgettable first year in Denver for the franchise quarterback that included the worst statistical output of his career. 32 NFL players who could change teams this offseason, 2023 NFL franchise tag tracker: Commanders' Payne first to be tagged, Meet the man scouring Nigeria for the next generation of NBA and NFL talent, 2023 NFL combine preview: 15 future fantasy football stars to watch, With Javonte Williams out, Broncos need Melvin Gordon III more than ever, NFL Week 4 takeaways: 49ers roll, Raiders get a win, and everything we learned from wins by the Cowboys, Bills, Chiefs and Eagles, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Covered Broncos for nine years for Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News, Previously covered Steelers, Bills and Titans, Member of Pro Football Hall of Fame Board. He initially tried to walk off under his power, but he required assistance from Denvers trainers to get off the field. He also caught 43 balls for 316 yards and three scores. ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Denver Broncos' loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday came with a staggering price tag as running back Javonte Williams will miss the remainder of the season and outside linebacker Randy Gregory will miss multiple weeks, both due to right knee injuries. The Broncos shouldnt count on Williams being ready for their season opener, and even if hes cleared to play a few games into the season, Denver should have a capable backup on the roster in case Williams battles through his recovery similarly to Dobbins battle in 2022. Follow us@TarHeelsWireon Twitter and like our page onFacebookto follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions. JOSH JACOBS' TWO TOUCHDOWNS LIFT RAIDERS PAST BRONCOS. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. I think it was a game changer, Paton said of hiring Lowery. INDIANAPOLIS Well before Sean Payton hired former Broncos head coach Vance Joseph to become Denvers new defensive coordinator last week, he made a strong pitch to hire a different past Broncos coach in that same role. Williams' injury will have a significant impact on the team's offense. Hes working his butt off. He has the only rushing touchdown between them this season, picking it up in the win over the San Francisco 49ers in Week 3. And that should scare the hell out of Nathaniel Hackett. They are both young and extremely talented coaches. It isn't known if he injured the same knee Sunday against the Raiders. So as long as the nerve is OK, that is a much better prognosis.. Williams, who entered the game as the Broncos' leader in carries and rushing yards, stayed down on the field after a 1-yard loss on the first play of the second half. Payton said Webb came highly recommended from a bunch of different coaches, including Daboll and former Giants quarterback Eli Manning. Williams suffered the injury in early October and an absolute-best-case-scenario timeline could see him recovered in time for training camp, but the complicated We have to get through those difficult things. Javonte Williams #33 of the Denver Broncos listens to the national anthem against the San Francisco 49ers at Empower Field At Mile High on Sept. 25, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Thats what we call an allograft.. We have a great coaching staff and (running backs coach Tyrone) Wheatley, and those guys make sure were prepared and ready to go out and execute.. A move to injured reserve would mean Gregory would miss a minimum of four games. Broncos RB Williams to have MRI on right knee. Williams suffered his injury on the Broncos' first play of the second half in Sunday's 32-23 loss. Williams suffered the injury in early October and an absolute-best-case-scenario timeline could see him recovered in time for training camp, but the complicated injury could drag out his recovery. Spotify After initially announcing Williams was questionable, the Broncos quickly downgraded Williams to out with a knee injury. Weve got a lot of work ahead of us right now, Payton said. His 3.7 yards per carry were a big dip from his first two NFL seasons (4.8), and he finished the season with 593 yards rushing. Why the Packers' transition to Jordan Love, whenever it happens, will require patience, Disputed loan at center of Commanders probe, A new home for Michael Thomas? WebYeah, JK missed last year and Javonte missed most of this year. According to Broncos beat writer Jeff Legwold, Williams could miss time into the 2023 season. Every ACL tear is different, but it is more rare to have what we call a multiligamentous knee injury. Broncos running back Javonte Williams could miss extended time following his early exit from Sundays 3223 loss to the Raiders. A significant injury and a long road back. Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Hes going to hit the market, Paton said of Jones on KOA. 32 NFL players who could change teams this offseason, 2023 NFL franchise tag tracker: Commanders' Payne first to be tagged, Meet the man scouring Nigeria for the next generation of NBA and NFL talent, 2023 NFL combine preview: 15 future fantasy football stars to watch, NFL Week 4 takeaways: 49ers roll, Raiders get a win, and everything we learned from wins by the Cowboys, Bills, Chiefs and Eagles, Raiders, McDaniels savor 1st win vs. rival Broncos, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Covered Broncos for nine years for Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News, Previously covered Steelers, Bills and Titans, Member of Pro Football Hall of Fame Board. Javonte Williams suffered a knee injury in the Broncos 32-23 loss to the Raiders on Sunday one that could be serious. Brockton police arrest 16 in prostitution sting. NFL draft questions for teams in the top 10: Will the Colts trade up? We all have to improve. A significant injury and a long road back. In the end, there were a few things that I felt that Vance was going to bring, Payton said. The NFL Network reported that Williams damaged the posterolateral corner, an area on the outside of the knee that includes ligaments such as the lateral collateral ligament (LCL). Those things will all be gone. Wed like to have him back.. Williams may have also torn his LCL and posterior lateral corner, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. INDIANAPOLIS The Broncos anticipate running back Javonte Williams and wide receiver Tim Patrick will be ready for the start of the regular season after suffering season-ending knee injuries in 2022, according to General Manager George Paton. Williams suffered a torn Williams is set to undergo an MRI on Monday to determine the full extent of his ailment, per NFL Media, but the initial fear is that he suffered a serious injury. ENGLEWOOD, Colo. Javonte Williams took a few labored steps toward the sideline Sunday before he collapsed to the ground, unable to put weight on his right leg. The Broncos arent in a position to lose talented, homegrown players from their roster. Injury timeline, return date for Broncos running back, Broncos' Melvin Gordon, Nathaniel Hackett address RB's fumble problem: 'Just got to do better'. Javonte Williams #33 of the Denver Broncos runs with the ball while being chased by Denzel Perryman #52 of the Las Vegas Raiders in the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium on Oct. 2, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. We say, Hey, lets get back at nine months to a year,' Soppe said, but a lot of times it takes longer to build back that mental confidence., 'I'm glad 26 is on our team': How Saquon Barkley reminded world he's still very, very good. The Denver Broncos released a Javonte Williams injury update on Monday. The bottom line is that a multiligamentous knee injury like the one suffered by Williams is definitely more severe, than a standard ACL tear, according to Dr. Clint Soppe, a surgeon with the Cedars Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles and an orthopedic consultant for MLS LA Galaxy. His other stops include The Arizona Republic and MLB.com. But progress has been encouraging. at Broncos general manager George Paton said Tuesday that Williams (knee) is "on track" for the start of 2023, James Palmer of NFL Network reports. A setback like that could complicate recovery, Soppe said. Whoever is out there is going to have to do the best job they can. His other stops include The Arizona Republic and MLB.com. "Losing Javonte is so important, (he's) a dynamic player in this league,'' Hackett said. Gregory, who signed a five-year, $70 million contract this offseason, is expected to miss between two to six weeks, depending on his recovery, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter, and Hackett said Monday no decision has been made yet about putting Gregory on injured reserve. He previously covered the Denver Nuggets for The Athletic after spending five years at the Denver Post, where he covered the citys professional sports scene. Denver had been splitting backfield duties between Williams and Gordon, as they did in 2021, but the former has consistently been one of the Broncos' toughest weapons. section: | slug: broncos-javonte-williams-could-be-healthy-for-start-of-2023 | sport: football | route: article_single_fantasy | The Broncos' medical staff checked his right knee before he was helped to the injury tent on the Broncos' sideline. Webb had considered going into coaching after a season as a backup in Buffalo in 2021, but he instead followed former Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll to New York when Daboll got hired to coach the Giants. Broncos' Javonte Williams: Could miss games in 2023, Broncos' Javonte Williams: Season-ending torn ACL, Broncos' Javonte Williams: Could face lengthy absence, Broncos' Javonte Williams: Spotted on crutches, Broncos' Javonte Williams: Hurts knee Sunday, Quentin Johnston: Rookie scouting profile. Apple Podcasts WebSolo Attorney located in Holyoke Massachusetts. It takes one team to blow you out of the water, but hes valuable piece for us. Im sure people are going to be hard on Melvin Gordon, but, I mean, as an offensive line, we have a lot of things to work on, too.. Its been well documented that it didnt go our way. Its a huge loss for Denvers offense as the second-year back showcased exactly how tough and powerful he can be on the ground last season as a rookie second-round pick. After suffering a torn ACL and LCL in Week 4 last year, former UNC football running back Javonte Williams is expected to be out longer than expected. It was a tough year.. Which first-round prospects should Raiders focus on at combine? With Latavius Murray, Mike Boone and Marlon Mack all scheduled for free agency, Denver will need to add depth to its backfield regardless of Williams' progress. But making apples-to-apples comparisons is tricky, especially when evaluating different positions. But certainly, I tried. They are definitely more severe, but I dont think it will really impact the overall return to play. When players are downgraded that quickly, it often indicates there is a serious concern The recency of Fangios firing by the Broncos and current general manager George Paton was ultimately too fresh for the veteran coach, who instead signed a lucrative multiyear deal earlier this month to become the Dolphins defensive coordinator. Now, a significant injury to Javonte Williams appears to be a potential season killer for the Broncos. He knows that there was a mishap right there and it's a great opportunity for him to get back out on the field and prove himself. " Williams was projected to be a breakout player last season despite splitting time with Melvin Gordon. Thats what happens when you lose. Williams, who entered the game as the Broncos' leader in carries and rushing yards, stayed down on the field after a 1-yard loss. He has made some progress in his rehab and is currently able to jog, per Palmer, but he still has plenty of hurdles to clear before he's deemed ready for game action. "From the standpoint of bringing in a running back, anytime you bring somebody in, it's always hard to get them caught up with everything," Hackett said. On Tuesday, Payton started spinning the question forward. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM, Javonte Williams #33 of the Denver Broncos runs with the ball while being chased by Denzel Perryman #52 of the Las Vegas Raiders in the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium on Oct. 2, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Gordon got only two additional carries in Sunday's game. The second-year running back then left the Broncos locker room in Allegiant Stadium on crutches as some of his teammates offered encouragement. All rights reserved. Still, Risner believes its not time to sound the alarm on the Broncos run game, even if Williams is sidelined for an extended period. Web1 year ago Denver Broncos rookie running back Javonte Williams (knee) was listed on the Week 15 injury report after getting in a limited practice session. The most recent case of a running back suffering a torn ACL and LCL, along with other damage, is Ravens running back JK Dobbins, who suffered his injury in Baltimores third preseason game in 2021. Opinion: Colorado farms going fallow? Hell be over the top. Market data provided by Factset. Williams, a second-round pick by the Broncos in the 2021 draft, came into the game with 175 yards on 37 carries over the season's first three weeks and was the Broncos' second-leading receiver with 15 catches over those three games. So when Payton began plotting a return to coaching after spending the 2021 season away as an analyst at Fox, he wanted to bring along Fangio, who was also spending a year out of coaching. Both coaches worked under Evero last season, and Parker also spent a year working for Fangio in 2021. I run a general Law practice involving matters of Criminal Law (adults and juveniles), Consumer Protection, Family and Custody, Coach Nathaniel Hackett said Monday if the team had practiced, quarterback Russell Wilson (right shoulder) would have been limited. Gordon did get some carries on the Broncos' next possession. That follows a promising rookie campaign in which he rushed 203 times for 903 yards (4.4 yards per carry) and four touchdowns. Sean has been speaking about him since our first interview with Sean. He reports it to be a season-ending injury: #Broncos RB Javonte Williams suffered a torn ACL in Sundays loss to the #Raiders, per source. None can give the Broncos the same dynamic element that Williams brought to the offense, but thats a reality Denver is going to have to live with for the foreseeable future. Williams will probably need to be on crutches for around six weeks or so, following surgery to repair the ACL and the posterolateral corner, Soppe said. https://tarheelswire.usatoday.com/2023/02/23/javonte-williams-could-miss-time-in-2023-for-denver-broncos/, 2023 ACC Tournament seeding, schedule, info (Feb. 26), UNC basketball moves up in latest bracketology update, What Hubert Davis said after UNC escaped Florida State, Twitter reacts to UNC escaping with win at Florida State, Leaky Black to set UNC program record on Saturday, UNC sets program record in win over Florida State, Leaky Black left off semifinalist list for Naismith National Defensive Player of the Year, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Williams suffered his injury on the Broncos' first play of the second half in Sunday's 32-23 loss. All rights reserved. I had heard a lot of good things prior to when I took the job and prior to getting into our building, and I wanted to visit with those guys, Payton said. We have a lot of good people in our building, and hell kind of bring everything together, from strength and conditioning to nutrition.. Melvin Gordon III had split time with Williams over the first three games of the season, but Gordon fumbled in the second quarter and the Raiders' Amik Robertson returned it 68 yards for a touchdown. Mike Boone, the undrafted free agent out of Cincinnati, will likely be Gordons backup now. We have to move on, and with Sean here with our new staff, I think we will., 'Too much influence,' too few wins in Russell Wilson's first year with Broncos. This season, Williams had 204 yards on 47 carries for an average 4.3 yards every touch, though he didnt find the end zone once. October 2, 2022 9:17 pm ET. Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe. Time will tell what the recovery looks like for Williams. Dobbins injury occurred 5 weeks earlier in the lost season, but that is offset by the 5 weeks he lost due to additional surgery after he returned this year. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. The Denver Broncos could be without running back Javonte Williams for the rest of the season after he injured his knee in the Week 4 loss to Las Vegas. October 2, 2022 4:13 pm MT Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams suffered a knee injury early in the second quarter of Sundays game against the Las Vegas Raiders. The list of impact players Paton was describing Tuesday underscored the struggles the Broncos have had with injuries in recent seasons. He's running the ball really well, he's running downhill, he's exploding through the hole,'' Hackett added. We want to be sure we get MRIs and get a feel there. Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams remains on track in his recovery from a grievous knee injury sustained more than four months ago. The Broncos took more than one loss on Sunday against the Raiders. He also caught a pass for a loss of a yard in the contest. Latavius Murray rushed for 57 yards and a touchdown Sunday for the Saints in London against the Vikings. He pointed to current Giants linebacker Jaylon Smith, a second-round pick of the Cowboys in 2016 who had suffered ACL and lateral ligament tears during his final college game and then missed all of his rookie season as the peroneal nerve damaged by the injury regenerated. He will not be able to return to play in 2022, though the exact timing of his return to football activities has yet to Hackett did not give the specifics of Williams' injury, but said he will miss the remainder of the season. Williams tore both the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) in his knee when he was taken down at Zac Al-Khateeb is a content producer for The Sporting News. In their loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, Williams was carted off the field. Here is what NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlen had to say about UNC football offensive lineman Asim Richards. Broncos lose Williams for year, Gregory for weeks. Javonte Williams #33 of the Denver Broncos listens to the national anthem against the San Francisco 49ers at Empower Field At Mile High on Sept. 25, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. Not necessarily because he had experience in Denver, but really more what he was able to do, believe it or not, in Arizona. A few minutes later he was taken to the Broncos' locker room on a cart and ruled out for the remainder of the game. Immediately, the knee injury Williams suffered against the Las Vegas Raiders did not look good. It wasnt all his fault. Top draft prospect Carter charged in fatal crash, Out of dark, Rodgers vows decision coming soon, Bengals not trading Higgins: 'Find your own' WR, Bucs to cut Fournette; RB says it was his request, Seahawks consider QB at No. Williams tore his ACL and suffered other ligament damage when his leg was pinned under a defender during a loss to the Raiders. I feel Ill be prepared, Boone said. This is Payton confirmed former NFL head coaches Rex Ryan and Matt Patricia also interviewed for the position, which opened after last years defensive coordinator, Ejiro Evero, was released from his contract to take the same job with the Panthers. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Sign up for the Tar Heels Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. The mental aspect of the recovery, Soppe said, will be a big factor in the timeline. Google Podcasts, Sign up for the Broncos Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. (Dustin Bradford / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images), has been replicated by roughly half of the NFL, tended to have longer recoveries than those with a typical ACL tear. With the final injury report of the week being released, running back Javonte Williams is officially questionable with a knee injury. Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! Of course Im going to miss Javonte, love the heck out of that dude and I need to see whats going on with him, but I have a lot of confidence in who else we have, as well.. Then he arrived back in New Orleans about 2 a.m. Monday. The exact timetable for a return from ACL and LCL tears can vary depending on the severity of those injuries and the extent of other damage in the knee, Soppe said. With Williams absent, the Broncos initially leaned more on former Vikings reserve Mike Boone, after Gordon's turnover streak continued. "He got dinged up in the game, he's just a little sore,'' Hackett said. " Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital. We were planning, in this year away, if the right scenario came up, that wed work together, Payton said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine, his first appearance in front of the media on the podium here in his 17 years as an NFL head coach. He steps into a pivotal role for a Broncos offense that has sputtered with 16.5 points per game through the first four weeks. So why Joseph, who spent the past four seasons as the defensive coordinator for the Cardinals? Weve had professional athletes come back with a combined injury like that return to a similar level of play.. We still have a couple positions to fill defensively., Why Vance Joseph's return to Broncos as DC is right for him and Sean Payton. 5 amid Smith talks, Eagles defend QB-push tactic as NFL set to revisit, Titans GM: Excited to go forward with Tannehill, Ex-NFL groundskeeper: SB LVII field overwatered. Williams was not able to put his full weight on his leg as he was helped to the sideline. Gordons giveaway came on his first carry of the game. LAS VEGAS -- Broncos running back Javonte Williams was taken to the locker room on a cart after he suffered a right knee injury in Sunday's 32-23 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: fantasynews | arena: nfl | pageType: stories | Not for the "stupid price" of $150 an acre foot. Denver Broncos promising running back Javonte Williams suffered a big career setback when he tore his ACL and LCL last fall. Projecting the futures of Kirk Cousins, Dalvin Cook and other Vikings veterans. The Broncos' team website caught up with Williams this week and updated his recovery status. Broncos news: Denver drops massive Javonte Williams injury update after knee injury. Typically, thats why new head coaches arrive. Denver on Monday signed veteran running back Latavius Murray off the Saints practice squad, a source with knowledge of the transaction said. Second-year running back Javonte Williams exited Denver's 32-23 defeat early in the second quarter with a right knee injury incurred on a tackle by Chandler Jones and Maxx Crosby. For me, when we get into the season, Im going to park a car with no rearview mirrors, side-view mirrors. The running game went quiet in the wake of Williams injury on the opening play of the second half. Try a week on us. And considering Melvin Gordon coughed Over three years with the Vikings from 2018-20, Boone had 71 carries for 379 yards and four TDs. Best known for his tackle-breaking abilities, Williams appeared to have his knee twisted while going down early in the third quarter. Football is a game of mistakes, left guard Dalton Risner said. But the injury in Week 4 slowed that down as did splitting time with Gordon. Gregory, who signed a five-year, $70 million contract with the Broncos in March, had knee surgery after the 2021 season when he was still with the Cowboys and had shoulder surgery after he signed with the Broncos. The first impressions were immediate for me, Payton said. Dobbins, who also tore his hamstring and meniscus, missed all of last season and the first two games of this season before making his return two weeks ago against the Patriots. They have confirmed that their running back will miss the remainder of the 2022 NFL season. 26 on The Athletics list of prospective free agents, has become one of the leagues top interior pass rushers and leads the Broncos in sacks since 2019 (22), when he entered the league as a third-round pick out of Ohio State. Hes going to bring it all together. ENGLEWOOD, Colo. Running back Javonte Williams did not practice on Thursday, but he is expected to play in Sunday's high-stakes game against the Bengals. When you have a posterolateral corner, that includes the LCL, but usually theres some other structures in that area of the knee that are torn as well, Soppe said in a telephone interview. He finishes the season with 47 carries for 204 yards and 16 catches for 76 yards. The Denver Broncos offense was lackluster for the most part of the 2022 NFL season in part because they were only able to play running back Javonte . NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported Monday that Williams suffered a torn ACL in Sunday's loss to the Raiders, ending his season after four games. The Denver Broncos will have to play the rest of the 2022-23 NFL season without running back Javonte Williams, who is reportedly going on the injured reserve after suffering a serious knee Sunday. Certainly, for Russells standards and the Broncos standards, it wasnt the type of year that they wanted, Payton said. The Broncos didnt officially practice on Wednesday or Thursday but it is estimated that if they had, that Williams would have been a limited participant. You'll now receive the top Broncos Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast: The running back had hoped to be ready for training camp after suffering the injury but now it appears as if he will be out longer than expected. Market data provided by Factset. He was tackled for a 1-yard loss by defensive end Maxx Crosby before going down on the field. Williams suffered the devastating injury Sunday during a run against the Raiders when Maxx Crosby tackled him in the first half. We have some good backs and we want to be sure that we showcase them just like we were with (Williams). Payton said he has had text conversations with Wilson in the weeks since, but the work of building an offense around the 34-year-old quarterback will begin in earnest when the offseason program begins in April. The Broncos, who play Thursday night against the Indianapolis Colts, released an injury report with projections of the players' participation had the team actually been on the field. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. They were real bright when I visited with them. Payton and Wilson had dinner, along with Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana, during Super Bowl week in Phoenix earlier this month. He saw 918 yards on the ground on the same amount of rush attempts as Williams (203) in 2021 with eight touchdowns. Especially a position like running back that requires a lot of side-to-side motion and cutting, it takes time to build up that mental confidence, Soppe said. The Broncos running 10:47 am ET. The starting running back was ruled out of Week 4 with a knee injury after being carted off. Weve all moved forward. Williams went down on the first play of the third quarter, on his 10th carry of the day, and was initially ruled questionable after visiting the sideline medical tent. Even if Williams is ready by Week 1, it will likely take much longer than that to return to form (and he might not ever be able to fully return to his pre-injury form).