After suffering a serious knee injury four weeks into the 2022 season, Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams returned to the team in 2023 and had an underwhelming campaign.
Now another year removed from that injury (and 11 pounds lighter), Williams is turning heads at training camp.
Broncos coach Sean Payton was asked about the team’s running back group earlier this week and the coach’s comment about Williams stood out.
“I think we’re seeing real good competition at the running back position,” Payton said Thursday. “Pick your player, and we can talk about him. Jaleel [McLaughlin] is more confident. Javonte is down [11] pounds, he looks like a completely different player. Last year at this time — in fairness to him, he was recovering still inside of eight months of an ACL [tear]. He’s fully healthy now, and you can see it in his play.
“I can go through all those guys. The young back Audric [Estime] has done well. [Blake] Watson we got back. [Tyler] Badie another smart, more of a joker-type player, but I’m pleased with where that room is at.”
With such a crowded room, Denver will have to make some tough cuts at RB this summer. Judging by the way Payton has spoken about Williams, though, it seems safe to assume he will remain the starter in 2024. Entering the fourth and final year of his contract, Williams will have extra motivation to have a big bounce-back season this fall.
