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Tag: Javonte Williams

  • 5 takeaways from Cowboys’ win over Commanders: Defense doesn’t steal Christmas

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    LANDOVER, Md.

    In just the sixth Christmas game in franchise history, the Dallas Cowboys made a festive trip to the nation’s capital and took down the Washington Commanders 30-23 on Thursday.

    Both teams were eliminated from playoff contention before the day began, but division pride and the opportunity to play in front of a national Netflix audience saw both teams keep most of its starters in the mix.

    For the Cowboys, the running back duo of Javonte Williams and Malik Davis helped power things offensively, while a big day from defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (1.5 sacks) kept the defensive effort at least palatable.

    Just one game remains in the 2025 season for the Cowboys, as they will get the shot to finish at .500 next week against the New York Giants. But for now, let’s take a look at the takeaways from the back end of a clean sweep of the Commanders for Dallas this season:

    Defense can’t steal Christmas this time

    There are no other ways to write how bad the Cowboys’ defense has been in 2025. But in a game where it had just about every natural advantage to succeed, it held up.

    Was the unit perfect? Absolutely not. Starting in just his 10th career game across 11 seasons, Commanders quarterback Josh Johnson’s life wasn’t made particularly difficult. In addition, running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt ran for 105 yards and two scores.

    The offense controlled the time of possession battle to help out the other side, and the defense still gave up over 300 yards, but the group led by defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus did what it needed to do.

    Call it a Christmas miracle.

    Javonte, the hard-nosed reindeer

    If running back Javonte Williams hadn’t already cemented his value for the future, his first-half performance Thursday should have sealed the deal.

    It was a prove-it year for Williams, and he delivered with his 13th total touchdown Thursday. He carried the ball 13 times for 54 yards, including a fourth-down conversion that saw him get hit twice behind the line before driving forward to move the chains. That came after a carry on the first drive that saw him drive Commanders cornerback Mike Sainristil into the ground on a truck hit that drew some attention from the stadium.

    A physical, tough runner may have a shorter career than most running backs — Williams did leave Thursday’s game in the first half with a shoulder injury he’s been battling for three weeks. And yes, he’s 25 years old. But considering the consistent production he’s given the offense throughout the season, re-signing him in the offseason to a multiyear deal is a no-brainer.

    Take the naughty with the nice with Turpin

    If you did a full-season evaluation of wide receiver/kick returner KaVontae Turpin, you’d see a mixed bag of good, bad and ugly. On Thursday, that was all bottled up into one sequence.

    After letting yet another punt go over his head that was downed inside the 5-yard line, Turpin made up for the bad field position by getting loose out of the slot on third-and-11, hauling in a perfect Dak Prescott deep ball and dashing through the grass for an 86-yard score.

    Is his three-year, $18 million contract worth the bad moments like the many misjudged punts and untimely drops/fumbles? Probably not, but I bet you won’t be complaining when the moments flip to the positive side.

    Better underdog: Rudolph or Malik Davis?

    Like running back Malik Davis throughout most of his career, no one thought Rudolph had the ability to take over when the moment mattered — but both saved Christmas when called upon.

    After Williams went down in the first half with his shoulder injury, Davis came in and picked up the load, carrying the ball 20 times for 103 yards — both career-highs. In a game where protecting Prescott was straight-up ugly (more on that later), handing the ball off to Davis became the best medicine for a struggling offense in the second half.

    When the Cowboys needed Davis, he followed through. When a starting running back goes down and opportunities are left to a player who didn’t even start the season on the roster, it’s tough to expect much. But behind Davis’ shiny bright running down the hole, Dallas was able to escape with this one.

    Leave milk and cookies out for Joe Milton III

    It’s been an incredible season for Prescott. He will finish the season with his fourth-highest single-season passing total and will be top-three in the league in yards. He will have fought through a disappointing season for the overall team by powering a top-three offense in the NFL.

    However, it’s time to shut him down.

    The Cowboys are already working without starting left tackle Tyler Guyton, and the protection has been shaky over the past four games. Entering Thursday, his previous three games saw him get pressured 52 times and sacked eight times. Against the Commanders, he was brought down six times and took a couple of ugly hits.

    It’s understandable to want to play on Christmas in front of a national crowd. But entering a game in Week 18 that actually means nothing, it’s time to let Prescott ride the pine and send backup quarterback Joe Milton III onto the field against the Giants.

    This story was originally published December 25, 2025 at 3:09 PM.

    Nick Harris

    Fort Worth Star-Telegram

    Nick Harris is the Dallas Cowboys beat reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He has experience working on the beat for DallasCowboys.com and previous work experience at Yahoo Sports/Rivals and 247Sports.

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    Nick Harris

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  • Prescott’s Cowboys overcome Mahomes’ fourth-down magic in 31-28 Thanksgiving win over Chiefs

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    ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys still face long odds in trying to rally for a spot in the playoffs.

    They won’t be short on confidence with a win over last season’s Super Bowl runner-up just four days after beating the defending champs.

    Prescott threw for two touchdowns, Malik Davis sprinted 43 yards for a score and the Cowboys overcame two fourth down TD throws from Patrick Mahomes in a 31-28 Thanksgiving Day victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday.

    CeeDee Lamb scored the first Dallas touchdown and finished with 112 yards on seven catches after drops plagued the star receiver in a 24-21 victory over reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia.

    The Cowboys (6-5-1) have won three straight and dropped the defending AFC champion Chiefs (6-6) back to .500 in a matchup of playoff-chasing teams.

    Dallas is 3-0 since 24-year-old defensive end Marshawn Kneeland was found dead of an apparent suicide during the club’s open week. The Cowboys came back from the emotion-filled break with a 33-16 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.

    “On top of where we put ourselves right before these games and just the place that we’re in, having to get these wins against two elite teams,” Prescott said. “I mean, two teams that played in the Super Bowl last year. Last year’s last year, but you’re talking about two organizations that obviously know how to win and we just beat them both in two great games.

    “On top of everything that we’ve been through.”

    Mahomes had four touchdown passes in his first professional game at the home of the Cowboys, where he played three times for Texas Tech not far from his East Texas roots.

    “They’re the same desperation that we are and they play better over four quarters than we did,” said Mahomes, who threw for 261 yards and was sacked three times, twice by Jadeveon Clowney. “So even though we have good plays here and there, we have be more consistent at the end of the day.”

    Travis Kelce caught Mahomes’ first fourth-down TD toss on a 2-yarder, and Rashee Rice’s second scoring catch came on fourth-and-3 early in the fourth quarter.

    Kansas City was down 10 when Mahomes was almost tripped in the backfield by Quinnen Williams but kept his feet and found Xavier Worthy wide-open down the field for 42 yards, setting up a 10-yard scoring toss to Hollywood Brown with 3:27 remaining.

    Prescott and company didn’t give Mahomes another chance.

    After two pass interference penalties gave Dallas first downs, Prescott hit George Pickens for 13 yards and a clinching first down at the two-minute warning. Prescott knelt three times after that.

    The Chiefs had five pass interference penalties, one that was declined, and another defensive holding that gave Dallas a first down. Kansas City finished with 10 penalties for 119 yards.

    “Bottom line is we’re having too many penalties, and we have to make sure to take care of that,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “No excuses with it. We’re going to clean it up.”

    Rice had eight catches for 92 yards, his first score coming on a 27-yard catch-and-run on the sideline two plays after Prescott was intercepted by Jaylen Watson on the first Dallas possession.

    Davis had just three carries, but his long run gave Dallas its first lead at 17-14 late in the second quarter. Lead running back Javonte Williams scored on a 3-yard catch early in the fourth quarter, and Pickens’ catch on a 2-point conversion put Dallas back in front 28-21.

    The Cowboys were 10th in the NFC entering the game, same as the Chiefs in the AFC coming off nine consecutive AFC West titles. The schedule doesn’t get much easier, although two of the next four opponents — all playoff teams from a year ago — aren’t in the postseason picture at the moment.

    “We’ve got to continue with the same mentality,” Lamb said. “Obviously it’s been a short week. Now we get a little time to rest, a regular week so to speak. We get our bodies back, relax, build, grow, get better and on to next week.”

    Injuries

    Chiefs: The Chiefs lost two offensive linemen to injuries after beginning the game without RG Trey Smith, who was inactive because of an ankle injury. RT Jawaan Taylor injured an elbow, and rookie LT Josh Simmons went out with a wrist injury. … S Bryan Cook injured an ankle in the first half.

    Cowboys: CB Caelen Carson, who had started the previous two games, was inactive after being listed as questionable. He was added to the injury report during the week. … CB DaRon Bland injured a foot in the second half.

    Up next

    Chiefs: Play host to Houston in prime time on Dec. 7.

    Cowboys: Visit Detroit next Thursday night.

    ___

    AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

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  • RECAP – Week 12: Did We Really Just See That? Eagles Fall to Cowboys in Dallas, 24-21 – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    •

    Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

    I’m super thankful to be able to let out some frustration.

    It’s a good time to have quill and ink at the ready.

    The Eagles were in complete control of Sunday’s matchup against Dallas — it was going to be a beautiful gift going into the Thanksgiving Holiday.

    Then the second half happened like chapters three and four in Quentin Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight. 

    In other words , downhill really, really fast.

    Thirty years after a Dallas Cowboys Dynasty dominated the NFL,  the Eagles were in position to take one step closer to establishing their own with a complete game of their own on Sunday. Three weeks after Jerry Jones made certain that Philadelphia could not obtain Micah Parsons during a trade to Green Bay ,  it didn’t seem to matter at all, at least not during the 1st two quarters.

    Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

    The Eagles’ 2025 season woes didn’t seem to follow them on the fight to Texas at all as the Eagles jumped out to a 21–0 advantage at AT&T Stadium as Philadelphia opened the scoring with a sixteen-yard connection from Jalen Hurts to A.J. Brown. A healthy dose of Hurts to Brown continued as Jalen Hurts ran for two additional scores — one after a long drive directly preceding a Turbin fumble. That would be the end of the Eagles’ scoring.

    The rest of the game would see the Eagles turn the football over twice, amassing ninety-six yards in penalties as the Dallas defense continued to pick away at the Eagles’ defense , tying the game at 21, thanks to 354 yards passing from Dak Prescott, and finally leading to a 42-yard Brandon Aubrey Field Goal.

    The only saving grace — the Eagles play again against Chicago in five days.

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    Michael Thomas Leibrandt

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  • Grading The Week: Ex-Broncos RBs Audric Estime, Javonte Williams would love to have J.K. Dobbins’ problems right now

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    Where there’s a Williams, there’s a whoa.

    As in former Broncos running back Javonte Williams, the Dallas Cowboy who somehow managed to have a rougher week than his successor, J.K. Dobbins, did in London.

    For the first time since Week 1, the Javonte Train finally went off the rails. Despite what the fantasy experts on the Grading The Week team saw as a (makes finger quotes in the air) “favorable” matchup at Carolina last Sunday, the ex-Bronco was held to a season-low 29 rushing yards on 13 carries and 5 receiving yards on five grabs.

    Context: Despite a banged-up, messed-up offensive line in front of him across the pond, Dobbins still managed more rushing yards (40) and more total yards (also 40) on far fewer touches (14).

    Life of an ex-Broncos RB — D

    And yet Williams’ statistical stumble was cupcakes and rainbows compared to the week of his former teammate — and backfield mate — Audric Estime.

    Estime, the Broncos’ fifth-round pick out of Notre Dame in the 2024 NFL draft, was waived by Denver this past August after falling behind Tyler Badie and Jaleel McLaughlin on the depth chart. The Philadelphia Eagles signed Estime a few days later and stuck him on their practice squad.

    On Tuesday, our man Audric became unstuck. The Eagles released him.

    The ex-Irish runner remained inactive for all six games with the Birds, including the Broncos’ 21-17 win at Philly back on Oct. 5.

    Burning through two franchises over your first 18 months in the league makes for something of an auspicious NFL start for Estime, no question. But there’s one thing on the dude’s side: Time. He just turned 22 this past Sept. 6. If Estime can land on his feet, with head, heart and hands all pointing the same direction, he’s got time to re-write his narrative.

    Wedgewood’s start for Avs — A

    When the kids at the GTW offices can’t trust our eyes, we trust the math. After its first five games a year ago, the Avalanche had given up 28 goals (5.6 GAA) and had lost four times. After five games this fall to open the 2025-26 season, the burgundy and blue had surrendered just nine goals (1.8 GAA) while winning four of those five contests. Avs faithful may not know what a good power play looks like, but they know what it’s like to have a grown-up — Scott Wedgewood — keeping watch between the pipes.

    Meanwhile, our old pal Alexandar Georgiev — the man in net here to start last season — just cleared waivers in Buffalo and was spotted in recent days practicing with the AHL’s Rochester Americans.

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    Sean Keeler

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  • NFL fines Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones $250,000 for ‘inadvertent’ obscene gesture

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    The NFL has fined Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones $250,000 for making an obscene gesture which Jones said was “inadvertent” and meant to be a thumbs up at MetLife Stadium following a game against the New York Jets on Sunday.The news was first reported by NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero on Tuesday and confirmed by the NFL to CNN Sports on Wednesday.In a video which was widely shared on social media, Jones could be seen giving a thumbs-up to the crowd from a box before raising his middle finger and pointing lower in the crowd while mouthing a few indiscernible words. The gesture occurred late in the Cowboys’ 37-22 road win over the Jets.Jones has until Friday to appeal the decision and, though neither the Cowboys nor Jones have yet formally done so, it is likely he will, according to Pelissero. The three-time Super Bowl-winning owner offered his explanation for the “unfortunate” fan interaction on Dallas radio show 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday.“I just put up the wrong show on the hand, but that was inadvertently done,” Jones said. “The intention was thumbs up.”When asked about the exchange, Jones said it occurred in front of Cowboys fans, not Jets fans, amidst the excitement after quarterback Dak Prescott threw a four-yard pass to Javonte Williams for Dallas’ final touchdown of the game.“There was a swarm of Cowboy fans out in front, not Jets fans, Cowboy fans,” Jones emphasized. “That was inadvertent on my part because that was right after we’d made our last touchdown and we were all excited about it.“There wasn’t any antagonistic issue or anything like that.”This is not the first time Jones has faced a fine from the league. He faced his first fine in 2008 for criticizing a referee and another in 2009 for violating an order from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to stop executives and owners from discussing league labor issues.

    The NFL has fined Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones $250,000 for making an obscene gesture which Jones said was “inadvertent” and meant to be a thumbs up at MetLife Stadium following a game against the New York Jets on Sunday.

    The news was first reported by NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero on Tuesday and confirmed by the NFL to CNN Sports on Wednesday.

    In a video which was widely shared on social media, Jones could be seen giving a thumbs-up to the crowd from a box before raising his middle finger and pointing lower in the crowd while mouthing a few indiscernible words. The gesture occurred late in the Cowboys’ 37-22 road win over the Jets.

    Jones has until Friday to appeal the decision and, though neither the Cowboys nor Jones have yet formally done so, it is likely he will, according to Pelissero.

    The three-time Super Bowl-winning owner offered his explanation for the “unfortunate” fan interaction on Dallas radio show 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday.

    “I just put up the wrong show on the hand, but that was inadvertently done,” Jones said. “The intention was thumbs up.”

    When asked about the exchange, Jones said it occurred in front of Cowboys fans, not Jets fans, amidst the excitement after quarterback Dak Prescott threw a four-yard pass to Javonte Williams for Dallas’ final touchdown of the game.

    “There was a swarm of Cowboy fans out in front, not Jets fans, Cowboy fans,” Jones emphasized. “That was inadvertent on my part because that was right after we’d made our last touchdown and we were all excited about it.

    “There wasn’t any antagonistic issue or anything like that.”

    This is not the first time Jones has faced a fine from the league. He faced his first fine in 2008 for criticizing a referee and another in 2009 for violating an order from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to stop executives and owners from discussing league labor issues.

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  • Broncos Mailbag: Is Bo Nix and the Denver offense’s progress vs. Tampa Bay sustainable going forward?

    Broncos Mailbag: Is Bo Nix and the Denver offense’s progress vs. Tampa Bay sustainable going forward?

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    Denver Post Broncos writer Parker Gabriel posts his Broncos Mailbag weekly during the season and periodically during the offseason. Click here to submit a question.

    What the heck happened with the Broncos on Sunday? Was it a favorable matchup against Tampa or were there other factors?

    Is having the lowest-scoring team in the AFC going to be the norm this season with the Broncos? What needs to happen to jump-start this lethargic attack?

    — Ed Helinski, Auburn, N.Y.

    Hey Ed, good questions and thanks for writing in.

    It was probably a bit of several different factors for the Broncos on Sunday against the Bucs. First is just that Denver played quite a bit better. It wasn’t perfect, but they converted twice in the red zone in the first quarter and that was enough with the way the defense played.

    Sean Payton also knows Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles and his system well, has a ton of experience playing against the Bucs given his 16 years in the NFC South, etc. So that certainly didn’t hurt.

    Then, don’t discount the fact that Tampa was missing Vita Vea on the defensive interior and Antoine Winfield Jr. at safety. Those are two elite middle-of-the-field players who were missing from a defense that had already surrendered a lot of yards but had been stout in the red zone early in the season.

    At the same time, though, credit the Broncos for the things they did better offensively. Bo Nix looked more comfortable. He pushed the ball down the field on the opening drive of the game and loosened up the coverage. From there, he was able to settle into a rhythm. He still dropped back 39 times overall and Denver didn’t settle into its running game until Tyler Badie got going in the fourth quarter. But 26 points is going to win a lot of games, particularly the way Vance Joseph’s defense has been playing.

    As for your last question, I don’t think we’re looking at a sustained offensive explosion here. There are still going to be rookie ups and downs for Nix. They still have to run the ball more consistently early in games. They’ve still got to be better than a 50% red zone touchdown percentage and better than 4 of 13 on third down (though two fourth-down conversions and a late-game turnover-on-downs once the game was fully decided do soften the blow). The Jets defense is much more disruptive than Tampa’s. If Denver puts together a similar outing this weekend, now you’re starting to wonder if they’ve turned a corner.

    How the heck has Jim Harbaugh completely turned around the Los Angeles Chargers run game in his first year that Sean Payton hasn’t done?

    — Gibson Hazard, Colorado Springs

    Gibson, great question and thanks for writing.

    Pretty impressive from Harbaugh, isn’t it? They look like a different team entirely already. Obviously, Justin Herbert’s injury situation could scramble the picture, but the Harbaugh effect is clear.

    If it was easy to do what he did, everybody would. They made the right call, apparently, with JK Dobbins, who looks great. They drafted blue-chip tackle Joe Alt early despite having one in Rashawn Slater already on the roster. They committed to it. Fully. And the numbers so far early in the season back it up.

    One obvious difference with Harbaugh getting to Los Angeles compared to Payton to Denver is the quarterback situation. Harbaugh had no reason to even wonder if he needed to make a move there because of Herbert. Payton tried it with Wilson for a year and decided he had to go another direction. When you’re set at that spot, you can attack every other one in the draft and free agency. When you’re not, you have to do whatever possible to fix it.

    With Harbaugh in place, the AFC West only gets more daunting.

    Hi Parker, is it just me or did Bo Nix look more like the QB that played in the preseason? The game seemed to slow down for him on Sunday. Also, seems like Tyler Badie should be the starting tailback and Lil’Jordan Humphrey should be promoted to the 53-man roster. Thanks.

    — Brandon, Rogers, Minn.

    Hey Brandon, yeah, interesting thoughts.

    Last one first: Humphrey has already been promoted to the 53-man roster. Happened Saturday when the team put OLB Baron Browning on injured reserve with the foot injury.

    Badie may not be far behind at this rate. He can be elevated one more time from the practice squad — you’d have to imagine that’ll be Sunday against the Jets — before he has to be promoted in order to continue being in uniform on game days. The way the room looks now, it’s hard to imagine the Broncos wouldn’t do that. One other thing to consider: Badie would have to be promoted next week and then Audric Estime is eligible to return off of injured reserve Week 5. So there could be movement coming one way or another at that position.

    As for Nix, yeah, it was by far the best he’s played. It’s not a coincidence that it was also by far the least he’s been pressured through three weeks. Tampa was in the low 20s in terms of pressure percentage after Seattle and Pittsburgh pushed 40%. That’s a big difference. It allowed Nix to get settled into playing from the pocket and not get jumpy when an opposing jersey flashed in front of him or on the edge. It also led to his quickest time-to-throw of the season at a shade over 2.5 seconds. That’s quick and it’s just where Payton and company want it. Get to the line early, see the defensive structure, get the ball out quickly after the snap. That’s when Nix was at his best in camp and and during the preseason and it’s what helped power an improved outing Sunday.

    What’s going on with Javonte Williams? He was such a beast last year, but it seems like he can’t get into the next gear after contact this year.

    — Mike, Denver

    Yeah, Mike, it’s been a rough start for Javonte Williams. I’ll push back on your assertion on last year. It was remarkable that he even got back on the field, especially to start the 2023 season. But he lacked juice then, too, and it got worse as the season went along. Williams has now gone 13 straight games without averaging more than 4 yards per carry. His season average is at 2.2 per carry this year.

    It’s been said many times, but the knee injury Williams had in October 2022 against Las Vegas was a devastating one. Blazing speed has never been his calling card, but it looks like when he does break a tackle now, he has a tough time getting back to pull-away speed. At one point Sunday vs. Tampa, he looked like vintage Javonte in bulling through a tackle attempt, but then he tried to bounce outside away from the pursuit and it just didn’t yield much. You hope for his sake that his legs come back and he gets back to where he was in 2021 and early in 2022 before the injury. But so far it hasn’t happened.

    Greg Dulcich didn’t get a single target last week. Is he in the doghouse after those drops the week before? And Tyler Badie has to be RB1 this week, right?

    — Miles, Parker

    Good catch, Miles (no pun intended). Dulcich did not have a single target against the Bucs and, like I wrote earlier this week, it’s been another slow start to the season for the Broncos tight ends overall.

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    Parker Gabriel

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  • Broncos’ Audric Estime on running backs after preseason win over Colts: “We have a bunch of guys who can do it all”

    Broncos’ Audric Estime on running backs after preseason win over Colts: “We have a bunch of guys who can do it all”

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    INDIANAPOLIS — One of the Broncos’ most heated position battles of training camp was on display at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday.

    The quarterback competition may garner the biggest headlines, but the running backs have locked into a fierce struggle for playing time — and that came through loud and clear in the Broncos’ 34-30 victory over the Colts in their preseason opener.

    Second-year running back Jaleel McLaughlin’s investment in a JUGS machine proved beneficial when he caught a 22-yard pass from rookie quarterback Bo Nix on a wheel route. Five plays later, rookie running back Audric Estime showcased his power when he steamrolled into the end zone for a touchdown to give Denver a 20-10 advantage in the third quarter.

    In head coach Sean Payton’s offense, the run game is essential. He is high on having a backfield filled with versatile players. On Sunday, nearly each running back impacted the game in a multitude of ways, as Denver outrushed Indianapolis, 131-64.

    “They all had a spark,” Payton said.

    However, their performance emphasized the tough decision looming over the organization of how many running backs it keeps on the initial 53-man roster and who.

    Javonte Williams started the game, rushing for 15 yards on four carries in the opening quarter. Then the young guys went to work. McLaughlin had 56 total yards (30 rushing and 26 receiving) on nine touches. He averaged 4.3 yards on seven carries.

    Estime had 10 carries for 31 yards while undrafted rookie Blake Watson was active down the stretch. In the fourth quarter, Watson showed why Denver signed him when he caught a short pass from Wilson before bursting down the sideline for a 33-yard gain. Watson finished with 10 touches for 59 yards, including 26 on the ground, and a touchdown.

    Tyler Badie had his moment in the spotlight when he ran 11 yards for a touchdown to extend Denver’s lead to 27-17 with 2:18 to go in the third. Denver’s offense finished with three rushing touchdowns.

    “We have a bunch of guys who can do it all,” Estime said. “We have smaller guys (and) bigger backs but no matter who you are, you gotta be able to (play) all three downs. I feel like it’s a great group of guys.”

    While Denver’s backfield had its moments, veteran Samaje Perine offered a lowlight. In the first quarter, Perine couldn’t control a short pass from quarterback Jarrett Stidham. The ball juggled out of his hands and was picked off by Colts cornerback Kenny Moore. The failed reception was his only target, and he didn’t have a single rushing attempt the rest of the game.

    As a whole, Payton wasn’t pleased with Denver’s ball security from the running backs, as they had two turnovers. In the third, Estime fumbled at the Broncos’ 47-yard line before cornerback Micah Abraham recovered the ball and scored to cut the deficit to 20-17 with 6:58 remaining. Later in the fourth, Watson fumbled a handoff from quarterback Zach Wilson that was recovered by the offense.

    “Those are the things that you gotta make sure you clean up (and) those guys will learn from that,” Payton said.

    During training camp, Williams, Estime and McLaughlin have stood out at running back. If Sunday was a reflection of what’s to come, that trio could be taking snaps this fall.

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    Ryan McFadden

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  • Youth, competition create excitement within Broncos offense: “We have a team full of hungry dogs”

    Youth, competition create excitement within Broncos offense: “We have a team full of hungry dogs”

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    As Sean Payton embarks on his second season as the Broncos head coach, he has felt rejuvenated.

    Denver’s offense has been sprinkled with youth, sparking position battles — and not just at quarterback — as players are try to make their mark on a team that’s in the midst of a rebuild.

    “I think it’s that challenge of working with a young team,” Payton said. “I think that’s the one thing I notice at least watching. I feel the competition.”

    Courtland Sutton didn’t show up to the Broncos’ facility until mandatory minicamp, but for the two days the veteran wide receiver was on the practice field, he felt the same energy.

    He said the offense is filled with hungry players who are determined to go on the field each week to prove themselves, which is one reason there’s excitement among the players and coaches about training camp.

    Indeed, the battle between rookie Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson for the starting quarterback job will be the highlight of the summer. But the competition at center, wide receiver and running back could be just as heated. The current state of the organization has created opportunity for first- and second-year players to step into meaningful roles this fall.

    “You have a lot of guys that are still on their rookie deal, just got drafted or (undrafted) free agents,” Sutton said. “(We have) a team full of hungry dogs.”

    Denver’s wide receivers room is filled with young players who have the potential to make an impact. After the Broncos traded wideout Jerry Jeudy to the Cleveland Browns in March, Marvin Mims Jr. has a chance to be a second option in the passing game. Denver also has rookies Troy Franklin and Devaughn Vele, both of whom could command significant playing time, depending on how they perform during training camp and preseason games.

    At running back, the one-two punch of Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine might not be guaranteed. The Broncos drafted former Notre Dame standout Audric Estime — who has been sidelined due to a knee procedure — and is viewed by Payton as a first- and second-down running back. Meanwhile, Jaleel McLaughlin and undrafted rookie Blake Watson have spent the offseason program displaying the receiving traits that Payton desires from running backs.

    With Greg Dulcich continuing to work his way back from injury, there’s an opportunity for tight end Lucas Krull to show the coaching staff that he can potentially be the pass-catching threat that the Broncos desperately need at the position.

    “It felt different this year in a good way,” Payton said of the competition level within the team.

    While there might be an emphasis on the Broncos developing their young talent, Sutton said the mid-career veterans have something to prove as well. Wide receiver Tim Patrick, who restructured the final year of his contract, is hoping to show that he can still be a reliable asset in Denver’s wide receivers room despite having back-to-back season-ending injuries — and despite the team drafting Vele, who has similar traits.

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    Ryan McFadden

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  • Source: Broncos RB Williams has torn ACL, LCL

    Source: Broncos RB Williams has torn ACL, LCL

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    Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams has a torn ACL and LCL and will miss the rest of the season, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

    Williams was taken to the locker room on a cart after he suffered the injury to his right knee in Sunday’s 32-23 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.

    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.

    Mike Boone replaced Williams in the Broncos’ lineup right after Williams went down. 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.

    It was Gordon’s fourth fumble of the season — the Broncos have lost two of them. Gordon did get some carries on the Broncos’ next possession.

    Information from ESPN’s Jeff Legwold was used in this report.

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  • Broncos RB Williams to have MRI on right knee

    Broncos RB Williams to have MRI on right knee

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    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.

    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. Athletic trainers checked his right knee before he was helped to the injury tent on the Broncos’ sideline.

    Williams was not able to put his full weight on his leg as he was helped to the sideline. A few minutes later he was taken to the Broncos’ locker room on a cart and ruled out for the remainder of the game.

    Williams left the Broncos locker room in Allegiant Stadium on crutches as some of his teammates offered quiet encouragement. Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett said Williams will be sent for an MRI on Monday morning.

    “We’re still evaluating,” Hackett said. ” … We want to be sure we get MRIs and get a feel there.”

    “Obviously seeing Javonte go down, that hurt,” quarterback Russell Wilson said. “Hopefully he’ll be OK.”

    Outside linebacker Randy Gregory will also be sent for an MRI on Monday after he suffered a right knee injury with just under six minutes remaining in the game on a 9-yard scramble by Raiders quarterback Derek Carr.

    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. It isn’t known if he injured the same knee Sunday against the Raiders.

    Mike Boone replaced Williams in the Broncos’ lineup right after Williams went down. 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.

    It was Gordon’s fourth fumble of the season — the Broncos have lost two of them. Gordon did get some carries on the Broncos’ next possession.

    But if Williams’ injury forces him to miss significant time, it will force the Broncos to make an adjustment. 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.

    He had 28 yards on 10 carries Sunday before his injury.

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