Broncos and running back J.K. Dobbins agree to a one-year deal
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos beefed up their offensive backfield on Tuesday, agreeing with free agent running back J.K. Dobbins on a one-year deal worth up to $5.25 million.
A 2020 second-round pick by Baltimore, Dobbins has an extensive injury history, including an ACL tear in 2021 and a torn Achilles tendon in 2023, but he's been productive when healthy.
He gained a career-best 905 yards on 195 carries and tied his career high with nine rushing touchdowns last year with the Los Angeles Chargers despite missing four games with a sprained knee.
Word broke of Dobbins' acquisition just as the first day of the Broncos' mandatory minicamp was wrapping up, and coach Sean Payton was coy when asked about, saying, 'I'm not going to answer to any reports. I think we're close.'
When Dobbins visited the team last week, Payton said: 'It's just another opportunity to possibly bring in another good football player to help us win.'
If healthy, Dobbins figures to be one of the primary ballcarriers along with rookie R.J. Harvey, a second-round draft pick out of Central Florida. Other running backs on the roster include second-year pros Blake Watson and Audric Estime, third-year player Jaleel McLaughlin and fourth-year pro Tyler Badie.
A lot will be expected of Dobbins on third down after the Broncos lost their best pass protector in their backfield when Javonte Williams left for Dallas in free agency.
One of Dobbins' best games last season was at Denver in mid-October, when he rushed 25 times for 96 yards and a touchdown in the Chargers' 23-16 win.
'Yeah, he's a good back, especially when healthy,' Broncos safety Brandon Jones said. 'We kind of go back a little bit to high school and college, so I'm very familiar with him as a person and his game on the field. Yeah, he's a baller. He was one of the running backs that had the better rushing games against us last year.
'So, I'm super excited for him to be here.'
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Yankees Facing Difficult Ben Rice Decision After Giancarlo Stanton Update
Yankees Facing Difficult Ben Rice Decision After Giancarlo Stanton Update originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The longer that All-Star designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton remained on the injured list, the longer that young slugger Ben Rice got to stay in the New York Yankees' lineup. Rice's run as the Yankees' starting DH is nearing its final weeks, however. Stanton is finally nearing a return to the majors after a prolonged battle with tennis elbow in both arms; the five-time All-Star begins a rehab assignment Tuesday at Double-A Somerset. While Rice has been an impressive breakout star in his first full season, not even a propensity for mammoth home runs stands to keep him in the lineup. Rice enters Tuesday hitting .241 with 12 homers, 25 RBI, and a .825 OPS through 218 plate appearances. Rice ranks 34th among all qualified hitters in OPS, and his .497 slugging percentage is 24th in the league. Most teams would kill for production like that, but most teams aren't the Yankees. Stanton's contract all but guarantees him a spot as the Yankees' DH, and Paul Goldschmidt is enjoying an All-Star-caliber season at first base. That doesn't leave many at-bats for Rice, especially because the Yankees remain committed to Austin Wells at catcher. SNY's Andy Martino recently dismissed the idea the Yankees should demote Rice to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre so he can get regular at-bats. Martino instead proposed the Yankees work to play Stanton, Rice, and Goldschmidt at least two out of every three games. Martino also reported that the Yankees do not intend to play Rice anywhere but at catcher, first base, or designated hitter. "Rice is closer to gracing the cover of 'MLB: The Show' than he is to earning a trip to Scranton," Martino wrote. Either way, the Yankees find themselves in a difficult situation, one where there are too many hitters with too few at-bats to go around. It's better than the alternative, as teams like the Colorado Rockies and Miami Marlins know all too well. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Caitlin Clark's Effect on Pacers Amid NBA Finals is Turning Heads
Caitlin Clark's Effect on Pacers Amid NBA Finals is Turning Heads originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Indiana Pacers continue to defy their doubters, as they took Game 3 of the NBA Finals by a final score of 116-107 over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Advertisement The Thunder were heavily favored to win the world championship coming into this series, but the Pacers now lead the series 2-1. The Hoosier State is stoked about the very real possibility of the Larry O'Brien Trophy landing there for the first time ever. This is the Pacers' second trip to the NBA Finals and their first since 2000, and fans can almost start to taste the champagne. Indiana Fever stars Caitlin Clark and Aliyah BostonKyle Terada-Imagn Images One of their biggest fans is Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark. She was on hand at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Wednesday for Game 3 along with several of her teammates, and she may be a good luck charm for the Pacers. When she has been in attendance this season, the Pacers have been 8-0. Fans on X reacted to this interesting statistic. Advertisement "That's a cool stat," one fan wrote. "She needs to attend 2 more games," another fan chimed in. "Or maybe it's the spirit of Jim Ursay," a third fan wrote, referring to former Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, who died a few weeks ago. "CC Effect," a fourth user wrote. "The @NBA saw what the @NFL did with @taylorswift13 and said, 'Hey we can do that with @CaitlinClark22!!' 😂😂😂 #conspiracytheory" a fifth user mused. "Thank you @CaitlinClark22," another fan added. During the regular season, the Pacers finished with the fourth-best record in the Eastern Conference. Many were counting them out as the playoffs started, even though they reached the Eastern Conference finals last year. Advertisement But they knocked out the Cleveland Cavaliers, who finished first with 64 wins, in the second round, and they shoved past the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals. Throughout this postseason, they have gotten the job done not only with their potent fast break but also by overcoming late deficits and getting some late-game heroics from Tyrese Haliburton. The Pacers can put a stranglehold on this championship series when Game 4 takes place at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday. Related: Caitlin Clark's Appearance at NBA Finals Draws Indiana Fever Reaction This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Decades-old record broken at NYS boys golf tournament: How Section V golfers scored
While Victor star Brody Burgess earned Section V's lone medal, Section III's Division I commit Jackson Saroney broke a 49-year-old record at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Boys Golf Championships, which concluded Monday at Mill Creek Golf Club in Churchville. Saroney, a Jamesville-DeWitt senior who's committed to Penn State, struck gold in the individual golf tournament after shooting an astounding 10-under-par 132 — six less strokes than the next best score. NYSPHSAA's previous 36-hole record was 134 set by Section IV's Joey Sindelar in 1976 before he joined the PGA Tour. Advertisement Saroney also helped Section III win the team championship with a plus-38. This was Saroney's fourth appearance in the NYSPHSAA golf tournament. Saroney's previous best finish was fourth in 2023, when Burgess was the runner-up after coming back to force a playoff hole. Burgess tied for fourth in 2024 and placed eighth in 2022. "Section III, we haven't won in quite a while. It's been a long, long time. It feel nice to get a team win. This tournament has been circled on my calendar ever since I've been in ninth grade," Saroney said. Here's how local golfers performed in the NYSPHSAA tournament: NYS state boys golf tournament: Section V scores at Mill Creek Golf Club in Churchville Section V's 2025 boys golf state qualifiers: Brody Burgess (Victor), Zach Jerome (Fairport), Austin Erdmann (McQuaid), Sam Eichas (Spencerport), Timmy Spitz (Pittsford Sutherland), Sam Schultz (Brockport), Jack Reichard (Penfield), Zayden Patel (Rush-Henrietta). Brody Burgess (Victor) plus-5, 10th place. Timmy Spitz (Pittsford Sutherland) plus-7. Zach Jerome (Fairport) plus-12. Sam Eichas (Spencerport) plus-13. Ryan Thompson (Addison) plus-19. Ace Erdmann (McQuaid) plus-20. Zayden Patel (Rush-Henrietta) plus-22. Jack Reichard (Penfield) plus-27. Sam Schultz (Brockport) plus-32. Brody Burgess of Victor hits out of the tall grass on hole four during the boys state golf championship held at Mill Creek Golf Club in Churchville on June 9, 2025 Team: Section V plus-98, eighth place. NYS girls golf tournament: Section V scores at Wild Wood Country Club in Henrietta Individuals Champion: Nina Choe (Section I's Ursuline) 6-under-par 138. Destiny Jodoin (Victor) plus-7, tied for sixth. Harper Dittman (Fairport) plus-18. Jennie Piao (Harley Allendale Columbia) plus-19. Reagan Paolini (Churchville/Hilton) plus-26. Emma Sweazy (Rush-Henrietta) plus-29. Jacey Neylon (Churchville/HIlton) plus-31. Allie Sherman (Spencerport) plus-32. Emily Zigrossi (Spencerport) plus-37. Lylah HerrNeckar (Victor) plus-37. Victor's Destiny Jodoin is the AGR girl's golfer of the year. Team tournament Champion: Scarsdale (Section I) plus-106; Victor plus-164, fourth place. Advertisement Section team tournamnt Champion: Section II plus-68; Section V plus-160, fourth place. — Marquel Slaughter is a journalist for the Democrat and Chronicle, specializing in high school sports. He won numerous Associated Press and NYNPA awards for his work in print and broadcasting throughout his 15-year career as a reporter. Follow him @MarquelSports and X and Instagram for exclusive interviews, photos and videos. You can email him at mslaughter1@ This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: NYS boys golf tournament record broken: How Section V golfers scored
