Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams stiff arms Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley on a run in the third quarter at Empower Field at Mile High Denver on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023. When watching Broncos practice Thursday, my eyes shifted to Javonte Williams. He is entering his fourth season with the team. If you haven’t realized, running backs age in dog years. It is the nature of the position. There is only so much tread on the tire.Williams is not like most running backs.
Mocking the calendar, Williams returned 10 months after surgery during training camp last July. It seemed early, and the way the season played out, it might have been. Williams rushed for a team-best 774 yards, but scored only three touchdowns and averaged 3.2 yards per carry over his final 10 games. It is why coach Sean Payton believes there will be competition for the starting job in training camp.
However, Notre Dame rookie Audric Estime had his knee scoped recently, and will not be ready until training camp. It creates a path for Williams to regain his status as a Batman back — Boom! Pow! Bang! He looks like he did in 2021, thicker, stronger, closer to his build when he ran through defenders.
When the Broncos drafted Estime, it put Williams on notice. But, if Thursday was any indication, Williams is ready to fight for his spot.a 6-foot-10 forward with three-point acumen . Denver needs a player with offensive pop who can spell Nikola Jokic if they don’t acquire a veteran backup. …not trading up and taking the guard in the early 50s. The idea of Bronny playing with his father, LeBron, and podcaster J.J. Redick as coach sounds like a sitcom. Bring the popcorn. With movie theater butter.
Renck: Broncos Ring of Famer Steve Foley knows what winning looks like, and insists Sean Payton will bring it back to DenverRenck: In career defined by humor and fearlessness, broadcaster Vic Lombardi has left stamp on Colorado sports. “I am not supposed to be here.”.