Broncos starter Javonte Williams will reportedly miss the rest of the 2022 season with torn ACL

·Staff writer

3 October 2022 at 1:13 pm·2-min read

Things aren't going to get much better for the punchless Denver Broncos offense. Starting running back Javonte Williams will reportedly miss the rest of the season due to a torn ACL, according to multiple reports.

Williams may have also torn his LCL and posterior lateral corner, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Not only does #Broncos RB Javonte Williams have a torn ACL, but the MRI revealed a a torn LCL and posterior lateral corner, sources say. A significant injury and a long road back.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 3, 2022

The Broncos are signing Latavius Murray off the New Orleans Saints practice squad in the wake of Williams' injury, according to multiple reports.

Williams sustained the injury during the team's Week 4 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Williams left the game and was quickly ruled out of the contest, which is never a good sign. That was proved accurate Monday, as Williams will now miss the rest of the year.

Despite splitting time with Melvin Gordon last season, Williams emerged as a talented runner who looked poised to post an even better season as a sophomore. The Broncos leaned on Williams more to open the 2022 NFL season. He carried the ball 47 times for 207 yards and caught 16 passes for 76 yards. Williams did not score a touchdown before sustaining the injury.

Who will emerge as Broncos' backfield leader?

Williams' injury means more work for Gordon, who the team re-signed in the offseason. Gordon and Williams provided one of the league's best 1-2 punches last season, though Gordon is now 29 and hasn't gotten off to a strong start in 2022.

Through four games, Gordon has 37 rushes for 137 yards and a touchdown. He also has eight receptions for 49 yards. Gordon has fumbled four times to open the year, two of which have resulted in the Broncos losing the ball. Gordon's fumble in Week 4 was returned for a touchdown, giving the Raiders a lead near the end of the second quarter.

Mike Boone was next up after Gordon on the depth chart prior to the Murray news. He had three carries for 20 yards in Week 4. He was targeted five times by Russell Wilson, but finished with two grabs for 11 yards.

Murray ran for 57 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries in his only appearance with the Saints this season. He tallied 501 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 4.2 yards per carry in 14 games with the Baltimore Ravens in 2021.