Cincinnati Bengals free safety Jessie Bates (30) tackles Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (33) in the second half of the NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, at Empower Field in Denver. Cincinnati defeated the Broncos 15-10. Cincinnati Bengals At Denver Broncos 397
Syndication: The Enquirer
(New York, NY) — As the NFL offseason starts to take full swing, Denver Broncos fan are anticipating a much improved team heading into the new year. Well….that’s off to a shaky start.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Legwold, Javonte Williams’ multiple knee ligament tears “could keep him out well into the 2023 season.”
The 22-year-old tore his ACL and LCL in Week 4 vs. the Las Vegas Raiders. Williams told reporters at a charity event that he hoped to be back “by training camp,” but given that he’s dealing with multiple knee-ligament tears — it’s looking like he will start the season on the shelf.
You can reference both Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins who struggled to clear hurdles following an ACL tear in 2021.
On the bright side, Williams projects to be incredibly productive in Sean Payton’s offense once he’s healthy – assuming he doesn’t lose any burst or speed to the injury. The former second round pick emerged as the starter and running back of the future in Denver in his rookie season, appearing in all 17 games and rushing for over 900 yards.
With Williams still rehabbing and all three of Latavius Murray, Mike Boone, and Marlon Mack scheduled for free agency, it’s fair to assume Denver will look to upgrade the position in the Draft/Free Agency.
