Broncos Put Rookie RB Jonah Coleman on Short-Term IR With Ankle Sprain
The short version
- Broncos placed rookie RB Jonah Coleman on short-term IR with a high-ankle sprain, per Adam Schefter.
- Coleman must miss at least four games and is expected back for the late-October game against Arizona.
- He was hurt in Week 2 vs. Jacksonville but returned, scored his first rushing touchdown, and helped ice the win.
- JK Dobbins and RJ Harvey are off the injury report; Tyler Badie projects for third-down work.
Denver's rookie running back, who played through a high-ankle sprain in Week 2, will miss at least four games but is expected back in late October.
The Denver Broncos placed rookie running back Jonah Coleman on short-term injured reserve on Saturday with a high-ankle sprain, according to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter. The move means Coleman must sit out at least four games.
Schefter reported that Coleman is expected to return for Denver's game against the Arizona Cardinals in late October, indicating the team views the absence as roughly the mandatory minimum rather than a long-term injury.
Coleman suffered the injury during the Broncos' Week 2 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars at Empower Field at Mile High. He exited that game early but returned after veteran running back JK Dobbins left with a hamstring injury.
Playing through the sprain, Coleman scored his first career rushing touchdown and helped the Broncos close out the win late in the game. His performance against Jacksonville gave Denver a reliable ground threat it had lacked in close finishes.
With Coleman sidelined, the backfield workload shifts to Dobbins, who was removed from the injury report this week and is set to play Sunday night as he looks to rebound from a slow start to the season.
Second-year back RJ Harvey, who missed the Jaguars game with a hamstring injury, is also off the injury report and available. Harvey handled significant snaps in Week 1 and should continue to see a sizable role in Coleman's absence.
Tyler Badie is expected to handle third-down duties as a pass blocker and occasional receiver, a role he filled against Jacksonville with a 27-yard reception. Cody Schrader, a preseason standout, remains on the practice squad as depth.
Denver's next game is Sunday, September 27, when the Los Angeles Rams visit Empower Field at Mile High for an 8:20 PM EDT kickoff on NBC.
