Broncos RB Javonte Williams Out For Year With Torn ACL
Oct 3, 2022, 2:40 PM | Updated: 3:31 pm
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Broncos standout running back Javonte Williams is out for the year after injury his knee in Denver’s 32-23 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Williams tore his right ACL, a source told The Associated Press.
On Monday, October 3, a day after the Raiders beat the Broncos, Denver’s head coach Nathaniel Hackett confirmed that Williams would miss the remainder of the season.
Coach Hackett confirmed that RB @javontewill33 will miss the rest of the 2022 season with a knee injury.
Join us in wishing 3️⃣3️⃣ a speedy recovery 🙏 pic.twitter.com/k2vnZ5icrh
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 3, 2022
Williams got hurt on the first play of the third quarter Sunday when he took the handoff from Russell Wilson and was tackled behind the line of scrimmage. He didn’t put any weight on his right leg as he was helped off the field after staying down for an extended time.
Williams went for an MRI on Monday after returning to Denver.
Injury update: RB Javonte Williams (knee) has been downgraded to OUT. https://t.co/P67rB136nC
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 2, 2022
He earned the starting job this season after sharing backfield duties with Melvin Gordon his rookie year in 2021.
Williams had 202 yards on 47 rushes and 76 yards on 16 carries this season.
Last year, Williams rushed for 903 yards and four TDs and caught 43 passes for 316 yards and three TDs, making him one of the top running backs in the league coming into his second NFL season.
#Broncos RB Javonte Williams suffered a torn ACL in Sunday’s loss to the #Raiders, per source. His season is over. pic.twitter.com/4z8SgHnPhr
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 3, 2022
Williams’ backups faired poorly Sunday when the Broncos (2-2) lost for the fifth consecutive time to the Raiders. Gordon had a fumble on his first carry that was returned for a long touchdown and Mike Boone had two critical drops and failed to pick up the blitz on a sack.
The Broncos’ ability to explore the trade market for a running back is hampered by a lack of 2023 draft picks following the trade for Wilson this spring.
Final. pic.twitter.com/GkNUwNW176
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 2, 2022
The Broncos’ best bet with their next game coming up Thursday night at home against Indianapolis (1-2-1) would be to promote Devine Ozigbo from their practice squad.