Overview
- Dobbins told reporters Friday that he will play all 17 regular-season games in 2026 and finish as the NFL’s rushing leader, making a high-profile “pinky promise” about his availability.
- His pledge comes after a multi-year run of left-leg injuries that include a torn ACL in 2021, a torn Achilles in 2023, an MCL sprain in 2024, and a Lisfranc foot injury in 2025 that ended last season.
- He says he spent the 2026 offseason on injury prevention work including flexibility training and returning to his college weight while framing his comeback with faith and lessons from former coach Urban Meyer.
- Broncos coach Sean Payton and the front office publicly defended re-signing Dobbins, citing his elite production when healthy and the role he played in the team’s success last season.
- If Dobbins stays healthy he could materially boost Denver’s rushing attack and win total, but media and fans remain skeptical because he has never completed a full 17-game season.