Williams is working his way back from tearing his ACL, PCL, and LCL in October. There have been reports that he could be ready for Week 1 and also speculation that he will start the year on the PUP. You should watch his participation in camp very closely. If Williams is 100% for the start of the season, we'd expect him to lead a committee with Samaje Perine and be a solid No. 2 running back. Because questions about his knee will likely linger into camp, we would be more comfortable waiting until Round 6 to draft him. Williams could be a sneaky Dynasty buy, especially for teams who aren't invested in winning in 2023. While it could be a tough season, we would expect him to be 100% by the end of the year and he won't even turn 24 until next April.
Williams has actually scored 10.1 and 10.0 PPR points in each of his past two games against Cleveland and Houston, but it feels like he's been worse than that. He does have at least three catches in five of his past six games, but he's still searching for his first rushing touchdown of the year. The Chargers matchup is favorable since they've allowed three running backs to score at least 13.2 PPR points in their past four games, and Williams should be considered a low-end No. 2 running back in Week 14.
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Broncos' Javonte Williams: Held to 70 total yards
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Williams rushed the ball 13 times for 46 yards in Sunday's 22-17 loss to the Texans. He added three catches on three targets for 24 yards.
Williams maintained the clear lead-back role, though he still fell short of 20 touches for the second time in his last five games. He was inefficient with his opportunity and was limited to under four yards per carry for the fifth consecutive contest. While it's positive that Williams has multiple catches in every game in that span, he's shown to be an unexplosive rusher in a mediocre offense, making him difficult to trust on a weekly basis.
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Broncos' Javonte Williams: Held in check by Browns
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Williams carried the ball 18 times for 65 yards and caught three of six targets for six yards in Sunday's 29-12 win over the Browns.
The third-year back saw more than 20 touches for the third time in the last four games, but Williams wasn't able to do much with the volume. He also missed a chance to pad his production when Samaje Perine vultured a three-yard TD run in the first quarter while Williams was briefly sidelined with a neck issue, but per Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post, he returned for the next drive. The six targets tied his season high, and he continues to provide a solid PPR floor by catching multiple passes in five straight games and nine of 10 this season. Williams will try to take advantage of a more generous opponent in Week 13 when the Broncos travel to Houston.
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Broncos' Javonte Williams: Struggles with 13 touches
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Williams rushed 11 times for 37 yards and caught both of his targets for 16 yards in Sunday's 21-20 win over the Vikings.
Williams had a rough go of things on the ground against the Vikings, who have been stingy against the run this season (94.0 yards/game). The 23-year-old was also coming off consecutive games with 20-plus carries, so perhaps the talented back finally hit a wall after successfully returning from major injury this past offseason. Williams still operated as Denver's lead back, with no other RB recording more than one carry Sunday. Things won't get any easier for Williams in Week 12, as the Broncos prepare to face the Browns' top-rated defense next Sunday.
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Broncos' Javonte Williams: RBs to Start
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I don't particularly love the matchup for Williams against the Vikings, but it's hard to ignore what he's done lately. In his past three games against the Packers, Chiefs and Bills, he has at least 18 total touches and three catches. His involvement in the passing game is solid, and he caught a touchdown in each of his past two outings against Kansas City and Buffalo. Only four running backs have scored at least 13.4 PPR points against Minnesota this season, and three of them (D'Andre Swift in Week 2, Christian McCaffrey in Week 7 and Alvin Kamara in Week 10) had at least three catches. Williams is worth starting as a No. 2 running back in all leagues.
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Broncos' Javonte Williams: Commands 30 touches in win
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Williams rushed 27 times for 85 yards and caught all three of his targets for 13 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 24-9 upset win over the Chiefs.
Williams finally delivered his first touchdown of the fantasy season after being held out of the end zone in his previous six appearances. The 23-year-old struggled to break through Kansas City's beefy front, resulting in a 3.1 yard average on his 27 rushing attempts Sunday. Despite the subpar efficiency, Williams finished near the century mark in yardage for the second consecutive week after injuries limited his production earlier this season. Williams' improved health and ballooning touch count point toward a strong second half when the Broncos return from the upcoming bye week to face the Bills on Nov. 13.
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Broncos' Javonte Williams: Bust Alert (Start/Sit)
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I liked Williams against the Packers in Week 7, and he had his best game of the season with 12.6 PPR points. He also had a season-high 18 touches as the Broncos had a rare 19-17 win. In Week 6 at Kansas City, Williams only had 10 carries for 52 yards, and I expect him to struggle again in the rematch at home. Williams has yet to score a touchdown this year, and he's still sharing touches with Jaleel McLaughlin and Samaje Perine. The Chiefs have only allowed three total touchdowns to running backs this season, and only three running backs have scored more than 9.9 PPR points against Kansas City in seven games. Williams is a flex option at best in Week 8.
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Broncos' Javonte Williams: Approaches 100 yards
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Williams rushed 15 times for 82 yards and caught three of four targets for 14 yards in Sunday's 19-17 win over the Packers.
Williams posted season highs in carries and yards on the ground. His 5.5 yards per rush was also his best this term, giving him consecutive games with over 5.0 per attempt. Coming off last year's knee injury, Williams appears to be getting back to his best form. However, with no touchdowns through six contests, his ceiling is limited going into Week 8 versus the Chiefs.
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Broncos' Javonte Williams: RBs to Start
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I'm curious to see how the Broncos use Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin and Samaje Perine in Week 7 against the Packers, but Perine is dealing with a leg injury and might not play. If Perine is out then that makes it easier to lean on Williams and McLaughlin as Fantasy options, and I like Williams better given his expected role. He should lead the Broncos in touches, and he had 10 carries for 52 yards in Week 6 at Kansas City after missing one game with a hip injury. McLaughlin will likely be a change-of-pace option, and this is a great matchup against the Packers, who have allowed four running backs in five games to score at least 17.5 PPR points (Roschon Johnson, Bijan Robinson, David Montgomery and Josh Jacobs). I view Williams as a No. 2 running back in all leagues, and McLaughlin is a flex as a sleeper.
Williams (quadricep) rushed 10 times for 52 yards and recorded a two-point conversion run in the Broncos' 19-8 loss to the Chiefs on Thursday night.
Making his return from a one-game absence, Williams handled three more carries than impressive undrafted rookie Jaleel McLaughlin and looked explosive on his game-long 18-yard run. Williams also crossed the goal line on a two-point conversion rush following Courtland Sutton's 11-yard touchdown reception just past the midway point of the fourth quarter, and the running back's yardage total tied the season-high figure he'd established in Week 1. While McLaughlin certainly looks like he's earned a bigger role in the offense, Williams should be set to once again helm the backfield in a Week 7 home matchup versus the Packers on Sunday, Oct. 22.
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Broncos' Javonte Williams: RBs to Sit
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Williams is expected to play in Week 6 at Kansas City after being out in Week 5 against the Jets with a quad injury, and we'll see how the Broncos use him in a likely committee with Jaleel McLaughlin and Samaje Perine. It's a situation you likely want to avoid, and I hope McLaughlin continues to get more work in Denver since he's the most explosive running back for the Broncos. Williams has yet to score a touchdown this season, and he's been held to 9.7 PPR points or less in every game this year. The Chiefs also haven't allowed a running back to gain more than 74 total yards this season, and only David Montgomery in Week 1 scored a rushing touchdown, with Alexander Mattison also catching a touchdown against Kansas City in Week 5.
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Broncos' Javonte Williams: Good to go for Thursday
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Williams (quadricep) doesn't have an injury designation for Thursday's game in Kansas City, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.
Williams was inactive for this pat Sunday's loss to the Jets after being listed as a full practice participant Friday, but he'll get the green light to play Week 6 after full sessions Tuesday and Wednesday. He should step back in as the lead runner, albeit with Jaleel McLaughlin as a threat to steal carries and Samaje Perine as a strong candidate for some of the passing-down snaps. Prior to sitting out Week 5, Williams averaged 12 carries for 46 yards and 2.7 catches for 14 yards over the first three weeks of the season, handling snap shares ranging between 42 and 45 percent in each contest. A larger role is possible as the season progresses and Williams is further removed from last year's ACL tear, though McLaughlin's impressive performance to date will also be a factor.
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Broncos' Javonte Williams: Full participant at walkthrough
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Williams (quadriceps) practiced fully at Tuesday's walkthrough, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.
Williams was considered a true game-time decision due to a quad injury for this past Sunday's contest against the Jets before the team made him inactive. Coach Sean Payton said Tuesday that Williams was "close" to being able to suit up, and if it was the postseason (instead of the regular season) he "could've gone." With Williams out Week 5, Samaje Perine got the start and played 38 of 63 offensive snaps on his way to 10 touches for 95 yards from scrimmage, while Jaleel McLaughlin earned 21 plays and reeled off 89 total yards and a TD catch on 12 touches. Williams' listing on Wednesday's injury report could clear up any questions about his availability for Thursday's contest at Kansas City. But the breakdown of work between Williams (if active), Perine and McLaughlin remains up in the air.
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Broncos' Javonte Williams: Listed as limited Monday
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Williams (quad) was listed as a limited participant on Denver's estimated practice report Monday.
Williams missed Sunday's loss to the Jets after going down with the injury Week 4. The Broncos travel to Kansas City for Week 6 this Thursday night. In Williams' Week 5 absence, Samaje Perine led the backfield with 38 snaps to Jaleel McLaughlin's 21, but McLaughlin out-carried Perine, 9-6, and finished with 89 total yards and one TD on 12 touches. Perine led the team in receiving with a 4-73-0 line on five targets and added 22 yards on six carries.
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Broncos' Javonte Williams: Inactive Sunday
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Williams (quad) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Jets.
After missing Wednesday's practice and being limited a day later, Williams upgraded to full participation Friday; however he'll be sidelined Sunday, perhaps with an eye toward keeping him healthy and fresh for this coming Thursday's contest against the Chiefs. In his absence, Samaje Perine and Jaleel McLaughlin are in line to see expanded roles out of the Broncos' Week 5 backfield, with Dwayne Washington in reserve. When Williams logged just eight snaps (with two carries and three catches) on offense in last weekend's win over the Bears, Perine handled 22 snaps and six carries for 12 yards while adding two catches for 23 yards. Meanwhile, McLaughlin took 16 snaps on his way to carrying seven times for 72 yards and catching three passes for 32 yards and a TD.
The Broncos won't make a decision on the status of Williams (quadricep) -- who is listed as questionable for Sunday's contest against the Jets -- until after pregame warmups, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Despite practicing in full Friday, Williams looks like a true game-time decision for Week 5. As such, fantasy managers likely won't have full clarity on his status until Denver's inactives list is released roughly 90 minutes ahead of Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff. In the event that Williams can't go, Samaje Perine and Jaleel McLaughlin will be in line to lead the Denver backfield.
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Broncos' Javonte Williams: Full practice, listed as questionable
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Williams (quad) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jets after practicing fully Friday, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.
After missing Wednesday's practice and being limited Thursday, Williams upgraded to full participation Friday, which has the running back trending in the right direction ahead of Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff. Look for added context regarding his Week 5 status to arrive late Saturday or early Sunday once national reporters like Adam Schefter of ESPN and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network provide their weekly pregame injury updates.
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Broncos' Javonte Williams: Logs limited practice
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Williams (quad) was listed as limited at practice Thursday.
Williams didn't practice Wednesday, but his return to Thursday's session, albeit in a limited capacity, is a good sign regarding his chances of being available Sunday against the Jets. However, Denver's lead back will presumably need to practice fully Friday in order to avoid a Week 5 injury designation.
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Broncos' Javonte Williams: Back at practice
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Williams (quadricep) returned to practice Thursday, Chris Tomasson of The Denver Gazette reports.
Williams sat out Wednesday's practice, but his return to the field a day later bodes well for his chances of playing Sunday against the Jets. The Broncos' upcoming Thursday practice report will add further context on that front by clarifying whether the running back was a limited or full participant.
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Broncos' Javonte Williams: Dealing with quad issue
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Williams sat out Wednesday's practice with a listed quadricep injury.
Williams exited the Broncos' Week 4 win over the Bears in the first half with what was originally cited as a hip flexor, but the team is labeling his injury differently three days later. Regardless, Williams' status for Sunday's game against the Jets is unclear, but the Broncos will see what, if anything, he's able to do Thursday and Friday before ruling on his status. If Williams is sidelined this weekend, Samaje Perine and Jaleel McLaughlin would be in line to see expanded roles out of the backfield.
