Williams to "control" the backfield?

ESPN's Dan Granziano believes Broncos RB Javonte Williams "takes control of the backfield" this season. "I think [RB Melvin] Gordon, who has had a strong camp by all accounts, still has a role, but that it's a far more secondary role than he had last year," Graziano adds. It seems certain at this point that Williams will lead this Denver backfield. What we don't know is if it will be something like a 55/45 split, or more like a 70/30 split. You're banking on something closer to the latter if you're taking Williams in the 2nd round of fantasy drafts.

Broncos RB Javonte Williams is “on track” to suit up for Week 1, per GM George Paton. Speaking at the Combine, Paton shared that Williams has progressed to jogging following an October ACL/LCL tear. We’ll see how the 3rd-year RB fits in new HC Sean Payton’s offense. Regardless, look for the Broncos to add a depth piece or two this offseason. Note that Denver currently holds only 5 draft picks — and none until Round 3 — in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Broncos RB Javonte Williams tore his right ACL in Sunday's loss to the Raiders. That obviously ends his season. Melvin Gordon becomes the obvious name as top candidate to take over the Denver backfield, but Mike Boone has seen significant use each of the past 2 games. He stepped in to run nearly as many routes as Williams and Gordon in Week 3, and then Boone played more than Gordon against the Raiders. Gordon entered Sunday with a neck issue that limited him for a couple of practices, but he finished with a full workout. He did take a 2nd-half trip to the medical tent but returned. We'll see just how the new backfield split plays out. Boone is at least worth a pickup in most fantasy football leagues.

Update: In addition to the torn ACL, Williams also has a torn LCL and posterior lateral corner, sources tell NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. That figures to lengthen Williams' rehab timeline. We'll track his progress.

Broncos RB Javonte Williams is "feared to have suffered a serious knee injury," a source tells NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Williams is scheduled for a Monday MRI to get a better look at the knee, "but there is not a lot of optimism surrounding the injury," Rapoport adds. We should get an official diagnosis on Williams tomorrow.

Broncos HC Nathaniel Hackett said after the loss to the Raiders that RB Javonte Williams will undergo an MRI on his injured right knee on Monday. Hackett had no further update on Williams' injury. But, per ESPN's Jeff Legwold, Williams left the locker room on crutches. We should learn more about his status tomorrow, but this obviously looks like a significant injury. Williams' absence would leave Denver's backfield to Melvin Gordon and Mike Boone.

Update: Mike Klis of 9News of Williams' injury that the "fear is it is serious and he will be sidelined for [an] extended period."

Broncos RB Javonte Williams went down with a right knee injury in the 3rd quarter of Sunday's game vs. the Raiders and was quickly ruled out. We'll update his status as soon as we know more. Williams' absence leaves Denver with RBs Melvin Gordon and Mike Boone.