Report: Denver Broncos star RB Javonte Williams out for season after suffering torn ACL

The 2022 season was supposed to be the time for Javonte Williams to establish himself as the top running back on the Denver Broncos.

Evidently, that won’t be the case, as devastation struck as the former North Carolina running back went down with an injury in Week 4. Now, Adam Schefter of ESPN is reporting Williams has suffered a torn ACL.

“Broncos’ RB Javonte Williams tore his ACL, per source,” tweeted Schefter.

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Additionally, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network added some more color to the discussion, revealing the injury is even more serious than originally thought.

“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,” added Rapoport. “A significant injury and a long road back.”

After Sunday’s loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, Williams was seen leaving the Denver locker room on crutches. The video of the injury shows the former UNC star twisting his right knee as he was being tackled by Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby. He couldn’t put any weight on the leg and he attempted to do so twice, as he tried walking off the field, according to reports.

Trainers had to cart him off the field, the former Tar Heels star was ruled out of the game very shortly after being looked at by the team’s medical staff. With Williams now expected to be out for an extended period of time, running backs Mike Boone and Melvin Gordon will take over the workload for the Broncos backfield.

Unfortunately, the Broncos coaching staff under Nathaniel Hackett hadn’t been utilizing Williams properly during the 2022 season, but the metrics have shown in the past that he’s one of the best running backs in the league when used in the right manner. 

In Week 1, he forced five missed tackles on catches, the most among all players in the NFL. Against the Seahawks in Week 1, Williams hauled in 11 catches for 65 receiving yards. Thus far in 2022, he’s rushed for 176 yards and hauled in 77 receiving yards. 

In 2021, Williams exploded onto the scene during his rookie season in the NFL and established himself among the league’s best at the running back position. He had 903 rushing yards and 316 receiving yards. Williams demonstrated the same elite combination of speed, power, and hands that made him one of the top running backs in college football.

On3’s Wade Peery contributed to this article.