Jaleel McLaughlin Injury News & Updates

McLaughlin rushed six times for 24 yards and caught his lone target for six yards in Sunday's 27-26 win over the Commanders.

McLaughlin played 13 of Denver's 70 offensive snaps Sunday, his highest snap count of the season but the lowest total of any Broncos' running back in the contest. Meanwhile, starter RJ Harvey and Tyler Badie played ahead of the 25-year-old McLaughlin, seeing the field for 33 and 18 offensive snaps, respectively. McLaughlin rushed six times and recorded one reception for the second straight game, and with such limited usage, he is unlikely to present much fantasy value most weeks. The Youngstown State product serves as a solid insurance policy behind Harvey but should not be trusted in fantasy lineups in Week 14 when the Broncos visit the Raiders.

McLaughlin carried the ball six times for 19 yards and one touchdown during Denver's win over the Chiefs on Sunday. He also secured his only target for minus-5 yards.

McLaughlin had been a health scratch for nine of the Broncos' first 10 regular-season games, but he rejoined the team's backfield Week 11 following the placement of J.K. Dobbins (foot) on IR and made the most of his opportunities. Rookie second-round pick RJ Harvey was more productive overall due to his involvement in the receiving game, but neither he or McLaughlin found much sledding versus Kansas City's standout defense. McLaughlin will reprise his No. 2 role versus the Commanders in Week 12, though unless he's able to vulture another TD it will be difficult to translate those opportunities into consistent fantasy value.

McLaughlin is on track to rejoin the Broncos' backfield after J.K. Dobbins (foot) was ruled out for Sunday's game against the Chiefs, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

McLaughlin has been a healthy scratch for nine of the first 10 regular-season games, with his lone appearance coming in Week 6 against the Jets, when he played just six offensive snaps. However, with Dobbins sidelined for Sunday's AFC West tilt, McLaughlin will join rookie second-rounder RJ Harvey and Tyler Badie in the backfield. McLaughlin posted 572 scrimmage yards through 16 regular-season games in 2024 and could see some touches while spelling Harvey and Badie.

McLaughlin (coach's decision) is inactive for Thursday's game against the Raiders.

McLaughlin has only appeared in one game this season. With each of J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey and Tyler Badie, he'll remain a spectator for Thursday's matchup.

McLaughlin (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Texans.

McLaughlin will be a healthy scratch for the eighth time in nine games as the Broncos go with three active running backs in J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey and Tyler Badie. McLaughlin's next opportunity to see the field is Thursday against the Raiders.

McLaughlin (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Cowboys.

McLaughlin has been a healthy scratch for seven of the Broncos' first eight games of the regular season, with his lone appearances taking place Week 6 against the Jets. J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey and Tyler Badie will be the three running backs on the Broncos' active roster for Week 8.

McLaughlin rushed once for zero yards and failed to reel in his lone target in Sunday's 13-11 win over the Jets.

McLaughlin made his season debut Sunday after being a healthy inactive for Denver's first five games of the 2025 campaign. The third-year running back played just six of the Broncos' 60 offensive snaps, well behind both J.K. Dobbins (30) and RJ Harvey (17). Fellow running back Tyler Badie was inactive for the first time in Week 6, giving McLaughlin the opportunity against the Jets. With that said, it remains to be seen how the Broncos will deploy their running back rotation behind Dobbins and Harvey going forward. Barring injuries, however, McLaughlin remains far off the fantasy radar heading into a Week 7 matchup against the Giants.

McLaughlin (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Eagles.

For a fifth straight week, McLaughlin is a healthy scratch. J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey have handled most of the RB duties, with Tyler Badie serving as a depth option.

McLaughlin (coach's decision) is inactive for Monday night's game against the Bengals.

McLaughlin has yet to be active this season, as he's behind J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey and Tyler Badie on the depth chart.

McLaughlin (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

McLaughlin will be a healthy inactive for a third consecutive week, and it doesn't appear likely that he'll suit up for a game unless J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey or Tyler Badie were to miss time. McLaughlin's next chance to play is Week 4 against the Bengals on Monday, Sept. 29.

McLaughlin (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Colts, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

McLaughlin will be a healthy inactive for a second consecutive week, and his next opportunity to make his 2025 debut will be Week 3 against the Chargers on Sunday, Sept. 21. McLaughlin is stuck as the Broncos' fourth-string running back behind J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey and Tyler Badie.

McLaughlin (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Titans, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

The Broncos will go with a three-man backfield of J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey and Tyler Badie, which means McLaughlin will observe Sunday's regular-season opener in street clothes. McLaughlin's next opportunity to play is Week 2 against the Colts on Sunday, Sept. 14, though he's unlikely to see any playing time -- if any -- unless there's an injury in the Broncos' backfield.

McLaughlin rushed three times for 48 yards in the Broncos' 27-7 preseason win over the Cardinals on Saturday night.

McLaughlin led the Broncos in rushing thanks to his game-long 35-yard run, which he recorded on his second carry upon entering the game after RJ Harvey and Tyler Badie. McLaughlin has served as an effective complementary option for his first two seasons, and as he demonstrated Saturday, his home-run ability may give him the inside track to the No. 3 running back job again going into the 2025 campaign.

McLaughlin rushed three times for five yards and caught his lone target for five yards in Saturday's 30-9 preseason win over the 49ers.

McLaughlin's three carries were the fewest of any Broncos running back in the contest. The 24-year-old was unable to make much noise in his limited role Saturday, which should hint at his usage in the Denver backfield in the 2025 campaign. McLaughlin faces stiff competition for playing time this season, with veteran J.K. Dobbins and rookie RJ Harvey viewed as the top two options in the ground game. Nonetheless, the Youngstown State product will continue to compete for a role in Denver's running back room when the Broncos host the Cardinals in their second preseason game next Saturday night.

McLaughlin has new competition for snaps after Denver used the 60th overall pick on RB RJ Harvey in the 2025 Draft.

The addition of competition was a matter of when, not if, after the Broncos lost Javonte Williams (Cowboys) from a backfield that was among the league's worst in 2024. McLaughlin caught on with the team as an undrafted rookie in 2023 and has proven elusive while averaging 4.8 YPC on 189 career rush attempts, but there's no real precedent for mainstream fantasy value from a running back his size (5-foot-7, 187 pounds) who isn't an asset in the passing game. McLaughlin has scored four of his six TDs on receptions, but with a meager average of 4.3 yards on 55 catches. He'll hope to be part of a committee again in 2025, with some risk of falling out of the picture in the event Harvey (5-8, 205, with 4.4 speed) proves himself a capable workhorse.

McLaughlin rushed twice for minus-2 yards and secured his lone target for zero yards in Sunday's 31-7 wild-card loss to the Bills.

McLaughlin was not a big part of the game plan Sunday, playing just eight of the Broncos 42 offensive snaps in the contest behind teammate Javonte Williams (31) and ahead of Tyler Badie (3). The 24-year-old running back finished the 2024 regular season with 113 carries for 496 yards and one touchdown, a 24-76-2 receiving line on 27 targets and one lost fumble across 16 games. McLaughlin's carry total and rushing yards set career highs in both categories, as he saw his involvement in the ground game increase in his sophomore season. The Youngstown State product will enter his third season in 2025 with the opportunity to take a step forward in the offense. Williams will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, so his possible departure could open things up for McLaughlin to step into a larger role in Denver's backfield. With that said, he'll likely continue to face competition from Audric Estime, Badie and any other running back that could be added through free agency or the draft.

McLaughlin recorded 16 rushes for 39 yards in Sunday's 38-0 win over the Chiefs. He added two receptions on two targets for nine yards.

McLaughlin saw a season-high 16 carries despite getting only two rushing attempts in the fourth quarter of a blowout win. He did lack effectiveness by averaging just 2.4 yards per carry with his longest gain going for just nine yards. While McLaughlin isn't likely to see a traditional workhorse role, all indications are that he is the top back in Denver's backfield heading into a wild-card round matchup against the Bills.

McLaughlin rushed the ball 10 times for 69 yards in Saturday's 30-24 overtime loss to the Bengals. He added two receptions on two targets for seven yards.

McLaughlin returned from a quadriceps injury that sidelined him in Week 16, and he narrowly led the Broncos' backfield in touches. While the split backfield continues to hold back his overall stat lines, McLaughlin was impressive with his opportunity by picking up at least 10 yards on four of his 10 carries. He appears to be the most trustworthy running back in the offense heading into a Week 18 matchup against the Chiefs, but his fantasy appeal remains limited due to the unpredictable division of touches.

McLaughlin (quadricep) practiced fully Wednesday, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

McLaughlin was inactive for this past Thursday's game against the Chargers, but the running back's return to full practice participation Wednesday (after a limited session Tuesday) paves the way for him to return to action Sunday against the Bengals. In that context, he'll rejoin a backfield that also includes Javonte Williams and Audric Estime, which sets up a potential time share that makes McLaughlin a hit-or-miss fantasy lineup option in Week 17.

McLaughlin (quadricep) was a limited practice participant Tuesday.

After exiting the Broncos' Week 15 win over the Colts on Dec. 15 with the quad injury, McLaughlin was unable to heal up quickly enough to play on a short week, prompting Denver to make him inactive for last Thursday's 34-27 loss to the Chargers. He'll have a better chance at returning to action for Saturday's game at Cincinnati, though McLaughlin will likely need to upgrade to full participation in practice Wednesday or Thursday to avoid carrying a designation into the contest.

McLaughlin (quadriceps) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Chargers.

McLaughlin made an early exit from Sunday's win over the Colts and never returned to the game, finishing with 10 touches for 34 yards. The Broncos then listed him as a non-participant Monday and Wednesday, sandwiched around a 'limited' listing Tuesday. McLaughlin has played less than 40 percent of the snaps on offense in every game this season, but he's taken on a larger share of the backfield carries/touches in recent weeks, which mean his absence warrants significant upgrades to the Week 16 projections for fellow Broncos RBs Javonte Williams and Audric Estime -- neither of whom has found much luck on the ground this year.

McLaughlin (quadriceps) was estimated as a limited participant in Tuesday's practice walkthrough.

McLaughlin was tagged as DNP in Monday's walkthrough, so his designation as limited Tuesday indicates a step in the right direction. The 24-year-old departed Sunday's win over the Colts early due to a quad issue, and it's uncertain at this point if he'll be able to suit up on a short turnaround Thursday against the Chargers. McLaughlin started the contest against Indianapolis ahead of the struggling Javonte Williams, and the same situation could be in order Thursday if McLaughlin is able to play.

McLaughlin (quadriceps) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's estimated practice report, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

McLaughlin exited Sunday's win over the Colts early with the injury. Prior to leaving, McLaughlin rushed seven times for 21 yards and caught all three of his targets for 13 yards in the pass game. If McLaughlin can't play Thursday night against the Chargers, rookie Audric Estime would be in line for more work alongside Javonte Williams out of Denver's backfield.

McLaughlin left Sunday's game against the Colts after sustaining a quad injury, Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post reports.

Before his exit from the contest, McLaughlin carried seven times for 21 yards and caught all three of his targets for 13 yards. In his absence, Javonte Williams and Audric Estime will handle Denver's Week 15 backfield duties.

McLaughlin rushed 14 times for 84 yards while catching one of two targets for no gain in Monday's 41-32 win over Cleveland.

McLaughlin received 10 more carries than any teammate in Monday's primetime matchup. This comes on the heels of the sophomore leading Denver in rushing yards a week prior. Audric Estime remained in the mix with three carries for 12 yards, but Javonte Williams had the worst rushing day of the trio despite punching in a short touchdown. McLaughlin handled the increased workload in stride, making him a potential hot pickup coming out of the Broncos' upcoming bye week.

McLaughlin took seven carries for 44 yards and failed to bring in his lone target in Sunday's 29-19 win over Las Vegas.

McLaughlin surprisingly finished as the Broncos' leading rusher after seemingly falling to third on the depth chart a week ago. Starter Javonte Williams couldn't gain positive yards after his eight carries while assumed backup Audric Estime finished second with 15 yards off of three rushing attempts. McLaughlin has only reached double-digit carries once this season (Week 1), which makes him an unlikely candidate to become a fantasy force despite being effective against the Raiders. We may simply have a classic RBBC situation in Denver, making every tailback on the roster a risky play against the Browns next Monday.

McLaughlin rushed four times for 16 yards in Sunday's 38-6 win over the Falcons.

McLaughlin assumed the role of the Broncos clear-cut No. 3 running back, as Javonte Williams and rookie Audric Estime both handled more playing time and carries in the contest. The second-year running back played just nine of Denver's 62 offensive snaps, while Williams and Estime played 32 and 14 snaps, respectively. With head coach Sean Payton repeatedly hinting at an increased workload for Estime as the season progresses, McLaughlin will likely continue to be the odd man out in the Broncos' backfield rotation. The 24-year-old should not be in consideration for fantasy lineups heading into a Week 12 matchup against the Raiders.

McLaughlin rushed two times for 12 yards in the Broncos' 16-14 loss to the Chiefs on Sunday.

Sunday brought a changing of the guard to the Broncos backfield, as McLaughlin and Javonte Williams combined for just three carries to rookie Audric Estime's 14. McLaughlin had logged at least three rush attempts in each game this season and a combined 13 over his previous two contests, so the drop in involvement, which also included his third game without a target, was somewhat notable. McLaughlin figures to continue operating a passing down role whether it's behind Williams or Estime in a Week 11 home matchup against the Falcons.

McLaughlin carried the ball five times for 10 yards and caught all three of his targets for 10 yards in Sunday's 41-10 loss to the Ravens.

McLaughlin played the No. 2 running back role Sunday, playing 23 of the Broncos' 72 offensive snaps while starter Javonte Williams played 39 snaps in the contest. Through nine weeks, the 24-year-old McLaughlin is averaging just under six rushing attempts and roughly 23 yards per game. The second-year running back has not seen enough consistent involvement in Denver's offense to make him an attractive option for fantasy purposes. In addition, Chris Tomasson of The Denver Gazette reports that Broncos head coach Sean Payton said Monday that rookie Audric Estime could see his role increase as the season progresses. Assuming that this comes to fruition, it would almost undoubtedly lead to even fewer opportunities for McLaughlin down the stretch. In what could become an even messier situation in the Denver backfield, the 24-year-old should not be trusted for fantasy purposes heading into a Week 10 matchup against the Chiefs.

McLaughlin carried the ball eight times for 47 yards and caught his only target for a nine-yard touchdown in Sunday's 28-14 win over the Panthers.

While his nine touches were far behind Javonte Williams' 21, McLaughlin actually led the Broncos in rushing yards on the afternoon, and his 56 scrimmage yards were a season high. The second-year back capped his performance with his third TD of the year in the third quarter, giving Denver its final points of the game. McLaughlin may be working his way back into a timeshare with Williams, but they both face a daunting matchup in Week 9 against the Ravens.

McLaughlin rushed four times for 35 yards in Thursday's 33-10 win over the Saints.

McLaughlin played just 22 percent of the Broncos' offensive snaps Thursday, a season low for the second-year running back. Meanwhile, starter Javonte Williams played 63 percent of snaps and handled 14 carries in the contest on his way to 88 yards and two touchdowns for his best fantasy performance of the season. Though McLaughlin was the clear No. 2 option out of the backfield, his usage left much to be desired. The 24-year-old failed to see a single target in the contest for just the second time this season. Additionally, McLaughlin was not used in scoring position, as he didn't handle any rushing attempts in the red zone. Through seven weeks, he's recorded at least one red-zone rushing attempt in just three games. With Williams gaining some steam and rookie Audric Estime making his return to lineup, McLaughlin should be viewed as nothing more than an insurance policy and change-of-pace back in Denver's inconsistent offense. The Broncos host the Panthers in Week 8.

McLaughlin rushed three times for eight yards in Sunday's 23-16 loss to the Chargers. He added two receptions on two targets for 17 yards.

McLaughlin continued to operate as Denver's No. 2 running back in the contest, playing 14 of the Broncos' 55 offensive snaps. Meanwhile, starter Javonte Williams played a healthy 37 snaps but saw just three more carries than McLaughlin. The Denver backfield has failed to become a strong unit so far in 2024, as play has been inconsistent and unimpressive through five games. With rookie Audric Estime rejoining the team after a four-week stint on injured reserve, the running back situation could become more muddied as the coaching staff tries to get the ground game going. The 24-year-old McLaughlin remains difficult to trust for fantasy purposes with his limited role in Denver's offense. The Broncos will visit the Saints in Week 7.

McLaughlin rushed the ball six times for 22 yards in Sunday's 34-18 win over the Raiders. He added three receptions on four targets for three yards and a touchdown.

McLaughlin worked as the change-of-pace back to Javonte Williams and now has at least nine touches in three games this season. He didn't work efficiently as either a pass catcher or rusher in Sunday's win, though he did contribute a four-yard touchdown reception halfway through the third quarter. Though it was his second trip to the end zone of the season, his limited volume makes him an unreliable fantasy contributor.

McLaughlin ran for 46 yards on nine carries against the Jets on Sunday, adding one reception for zero yards on one target.

McLaughlin's previous season high for rushing yardage was 27 on 10 carries in Week 1, so the 46 yards against the Jets was a welcome improvement. The Denver defense was dominant Sunday, giving the offense the luxury of leaning on the run game longer even when returns weren't immediately good. The Broncos kept wearing down the Jets defense over the course of the game, however, and started running with more ease in the second half. McLaughlin still functioned behind Javonte Williams, who ran for 77 yards on 16 carries, but perhaps the victory will give reason for coach Sean Payton to pursue a similar offensive template in upcoming weeks. The Las Vegas defense could prove more vulnerable in Week 5 than the Jets did Sunday.

McLaughlin rushed five times for seven yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 26-7 win over the Buccaneers. He added one catch on his lone target for seven yards.

McLaughlin continues to see limited usage in a timeshare with Javonte Williams, however both backs were outpaced by teammate Tyler Badie in Week 3. Badie rushed nine times for 70 yards while both McLaughlin and Williams handled just five carries each. The Broncos rushing attack has struggled to start the season, and it could be headed toward a three-way split with Badie's solid performance Sunday. Despite his underwhelming outing, the 24-year-old McLaughlin scored on a one-yard touchdown run in the first quarter to salvage what was an inefficient day for the second-year back. The Youngstown State product will be difficult to trust for consistent fantasy production from week to week, and up next for the Broncos is a Week 4 matchup with the Jets.

McLaughlin rushed three times for six yards in Sunday's 13-6 loss to the Steelers.

After leading Denver's running backs in touches in Week 1, McLaughlin took a backseat to teammate Javonte Williams against the Steelers. The second-year back played just 17 of the Broncos' offensive snaps in the contest, well behind Williams who was on the field for 40 snaps. McLaughlin also failed to see a target in the passing game, though he saw a healthy five targets in Week 1. With that said, the 24-year-old has an explosive skill set, yet he has been unable to produce efficiently in Denver's struggling offense as the second option out of the backfield. Next up for for McLaughlin and the Broncos is a road matchup with the Buccaneers in Week 3.

McLaughlin carried the ball 10 times for 27 yards with a lost fumble and caught all five targets for just one yard in Sunday's 26-20 loss to Seattle.

McLaughlin finished the day with five more touches than co-starter Javonte Williams. Neither tailback performed well in quarterback Bo Nix's first start after each averaged less than three yards per carry. Sunday's workload bodes well for McLaughlin's fantasy managers heading into next Sunday's tilt against Pittsburgh, but neither back looks appealing following underwhelming starts.

McLaughlin rushed three times for 17 yards and caught his only target for four yards in Sunday's 27-2 preseason win over the Packers.

McLaughlin was the second running back into the game for Denver after Javonte Williams, working ahead of Audric Estime and Samaje Perine. He handled only four touches in this game after logging nine in the preseason opener against the Colts. McLaughlin is seemingly locked in as Williams' top backup, so it's possible neither of them will play much in next Sunday's preseason finale against the Cardinals as Denver sorts out the rest of its backfield depth chart.

McLaughlin rushed seven times for 30 yards and caught two of his three targets for 26 yards in Sunday's 34-30 preseason win over the Colts.

McLaughlin played 19 offensive snaps in the Broncos' preseason opener, the most of any Denver running back. The 23-year-old is entering his second season competing for a spot on Denver's depth chart with fellow running backs Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine and Audric Estime. McLaughlin has impressed Denver's coaching staff this offseason, though Williams projects as the favorite for early-down work headed into the 2024 campaign. With Perine likely to handle work on passing downs and Estime profiling as more of an early-down back, it may prove difficult for McLaughlin to handle a consistent workload this season.

McLaughlin working to earn an increased workload entering Year 2, while competing with backfield mates Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine, Ryan McFadden of The Denver Post reports.

McLaughlin has been one of the earliest to arrive throughout Denver's voluntary offseason workouts, and at mandatory minicamp he reportedly looked more explosive than in his rookie season, when he averaged an impressive 5.4 yards per carry. Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi praised McLaughlin's "speed, acceleration (and) explosiveness," saying "I don't know if there's anyone who works harder than him." Still, the Broncos' backfield is crowded, with Javonte Williams presumably still the No. 1 option and another year removed from ACL injury, plus rookie fifth-rounder Audric Estime (knee) and undrafted free agent Blake Watson having been added to the mix.

McLaughlin (head) has been participating in OTAs, the Marietta Daily Journal reports.

McLaughlin played all 17 games for the Broncos in 2023 after going undrafted last spring, averaging 5.4 yards on 76 carries and 5.2 yards on 31 receptions. He seems to be healthy after suffering a head injury Week 18, but that doesn't necessarily mean he'll have a role in Denver's crowded backfield. The team still has Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine under contract and recently brought in fifth-round pick Audric Estime and UDFA Blake Watson. Listed at 5-foot-7, 187 pounds, McLaughlin is the smallest of the bunch, though perhaps also the quickest.

McLaughlin (head) finished his rookie season with 76 carries for 410 yards and one touchdown, as well as 31 catches on 36 targets for 160 yards and two touchdowns.

Carving out playing time wasn't easy in a backfield that also included Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine, but the 5-foot-7 McLaughlin racked up at least six touches in 11 of his last 14 games and was on his way to reaching that benchmark again in Week 18 before a head injury knocked him out of the season finale against the Raiders. McLaughlin led the team in yards per carry with 5.4, and his strong rookie season could earn McLaughlin a larger role in 2024 after he recovers from his head injury in the offseason.

McLaughlin is being evaluated for a head injury during Sunday's game against the Raiders, Ryan McFadden of The Denver Post reports.

Prior to his exit, McLaughlin carried four times for six yards. While he's sidelined, Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine are available to handle the Broncos' Week 18 backfield duties.

McLaughlin is expected to have an increased workload Week 18 against Las Vegas, Chris Tomasson of The Denver Gazette reports.

McLaughlin actually started at running back over Javonte Williams against the Chargers in Week 17, though Williams ended up with 31 offensive snaps to McLaughlin's 19. Nonetheless, McLaughlin put together the better performance, outrushing Williams 44 yards to 41 despite getting seven fewer carries. The running backs had an almost identical receiving line (3-18-0 for McLaughlin and 3-17-0 for Williams), and both should again play a role in Denver's season finale against the Raiders on Sunday. The Broncos have been eliminated from playoff contention, and with McLaughlin outperforming Williams of late, there appears to be a chance that the former gets the bulk of the workload against in Las Vegas.

McLaughlin took eight carries for 44 yards while corralling all three of his targets for 18 yards in Sunday's 16-9 win over the Chargers.

McLaughlin finished as Denver's leading rusher despite seeing seven fewer carries than starter Javonte Williams, who finished Sunday's win with 41 rushing yards on 15 attempts. That's two consecutive weeks in which the backup has outproduced the starter both in terms of volume and efficiency. McLaughlin has shown good burst in his limited opportunities this season, posting a per-carry average of 5.7 through 15 games. The undrafted free agent has yet to receive double-digit carries in any game this year, but there is a chance McLaughlin reaches that mark against the Raiders in Week 18 given his strong play of late.

McLaughlin had six carries for 37 yards and caught four of five targets for 30 yards in Sunday's 26-23 loss to the Patriots.

McLaughlin maximized his time on the field Sunday, converting 10 combined touches into 67 yards from scrimmage. The opposite could be said for starter Javonte Williams, who netted just 19 yards on 14 touches in the loss to New England. McLaughlin has been Denver's most-efficient rusher this season, but he has spent most of the year operating as the team's third option behind Williams and veteran backup Samaje Perine. Perhaps the undrafted rookie will get more looks against the Chargers on Dec. 31 after Sunday's loss all but sealed the Broncos' fate in regards to making the playoffs this year.

McLaughlin carried the ball two times for two yards and secured two of three targets for 16 yards in Saturday's 42-17 loss to the Lions.

McLaughlin played just eight of Denver's 64 offensive snaps in the contest behind starter Javonte Williams (31) and primary backup Samaje Perine (25). With such limited usage, the rookie running back is far off the fantasy radar as anything more than an insurance policy if Williams or Perine were to miss time due to injury. McLaughlin will look to continue his role as a depth option out of the backfield when the Broncos host the Patriots in Week 16.

McLaughlin rushed five times for 25 yards and caught one of his two targets for seven yards in Sunday's 24-7 win over the Chargers.

McLaughlin handled six touches for the second straight week and was only able to record 32 total yards in the contest. The rookie running back played just 13 of Denver's 67 offensive snaps behind Javonte Williams (40) and Samaje Perine (14). With Williams continuing to see the majority of opportunities out of the Denver backfield, McLaughlin's fantasy utility is extremely limited barring an injury ahead of him. The 23-year-old should not be a consideration for fantasy lineups when the Broncos visit the Lions in Week 15.

McLaughlin rushed four times for 15 yards and caught both of his targets for six yards in Sunday's 22-17 loss to the Texans.

McLaughlin continued to operate as the Broncos' No. 3 running back Sunday, playing just nine of Denver's 60 offensive snaps in the contest. Meanwhile, Javonte Williams maintained his lead role with 39 snaps and Samaje Perine was on the field for 12 snaps. McLaughlin is not seeing enough opportunities to produce effectively, diminishing his fantasy utility. Barring an injury to either Williams or Perine, the rookie should not be considered anything more than a possible insurance policy for fantasy purposes. McLaughlin and the Broncos visit the Chargers in Week 14 matchup.

McLaughlin rushed twice for four yards in Sunday's 29-12 win over the Browns.

McLaughlin played just two of the Broncos' 67 offensive snaps Sunday, his lowest snap total of the season. Additionally, the rookie failed to see a single target for the first time since Week 3. As Javonte Williams continues to dominate backfield snaps and Samaje Perine has carved out a more significant backup role, McLaughlin is not earning enough opportunities to be a consistent contributor. The 23-year-old's fantasy potential remains limited as the Broncos enter a Week 13 matchup with the Texans.

McLaughlin had one carry for one yard and caught all five of his targets for 14 yards in Sunday's 21-20 win over the Vikings.

McLaughlin was largely an afterthought in the Broncos' ground attack Sunday, handling just one carry for the first time since Week 2. Instead, the rookie running back was involved more in the passing game as he was able to secure a season-high five catches in the contest. With starter Javonte Williams taking over a larger share of the workload in Denver, McLaughlin has seen his playing time diminish in recent weeks, with Sunday marking the second straight week in which he played just 15 percent of offensive snaps. Barring injuries, McLaughlin should remain off the fantasy radar heading into a Week 12 matchup against the Browns.

McLaughlin rushed six times for eight yards and caught both of his targets for four yards in Monday's 24-22 win over the Bills.

McLaughlin failed to get much going Monday, as the rookie struggled to find running room while playing just 11 of the Broncos' 75 offensive snaps. Meanwhile, starter Javonte Williams continued to see his role grow as the featured back, handling 21 rushing attempts and seeing four targets through the air. With Williams operating as a workhorse, McLaughlin is unlikely to earn enough opportunities to maintain fantasy relevance going forward. The 23-year-old does, however, hold value as a solid handcuff if Williams were to miss time due to injury down the stretch. McLaughlin and the Broncos are set to host the Vikings in Week 11.

McLaughlin had four carries for 33 yards and caught both of his targets for six yards in Sunday's 24-9 win over the Chiefs.

McLaughlin continued to serve as starter Javonte Williams' primary backup ahead of veteran Samaje Perine with Denver's backfield finally returning to full strength. McLaughlin finished with 39 yards on six touches, but his production was dwarfed by Williams' 30 combined touches Sunday. It appears that the team is comfortable giving Williams his full workload after easing him back from injury earlier in the year. Looking ahead, McLaughlin and his Denver teammates will go on a bye, resuming play against the Bills on Nov. 13.

McLaughlin rushed five times for 45 yards and caught one of two targets for one yard in Sunday's 19-17 win over the Packers.

McLaughlin's performance was highlighted by a game-long rush of 23 yards. While that contribution made for another ultra-efficient outing, as McLaughlin is now averaging 6.9 yards per carry, teammate Javonte Williams turned in a second straight promising showing, totaling 96 yards on 18 touches. Even though Williams is seemingly getting back to his best form as Denver's starter, McLaughlin's playmaking should keep him involved from a backup capacity within Sean Payton's offense.

McLaughlin rushed seven times for 30 yards and brought in both targets for 12 yards in the Broncos' 19-8 loss to the Chiefs on Thursday night.

McLaughlin came into the contest with plenty of momentum after taking advantage of an expanded role against the Jets in Week 5 by gaining 89 total yards and scoring a receiving touchdown on 12 touches. However, the return of Javonte Williams, whose absence had facilitated that opportunity, from a quadricep injury pushed McLaughlin back into more of a complementary role. However, with backfield mate Samaje Perine apparently having suffered a leg injury on the last play of the game Thursday night, McLaughlin could have a chance to see some extra touches in a Week 7 home matchup on Sunday, Oct. 22 against the Packers if his teammate is sidelined.

McLaughlin's teammate Javonte Williams (hip) doesn't have an injury designation for Thursday's game in Kansas City.

McLaughlin thrived with Williams out for the past 6-7 quarters, piling up 193 yards and two TDs on 22 touches in the past two games while sharing backfield snaps with Samaje Perine. As impressive as the undrafted rookie has been, there's no guarantee of more than a handful of touches with both Williams and Perine healthy for Thursday night. McLaughlin did at least seem to move ahead of Perine in the pecking order for carries even before Williams' hip injury, with Perine largely resigned to playing time in passing situations.

McLaughlin had nine carries for 68 yards and caught three of four targets for 21 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 31-21 loss to the Jets.

McLaughlin wound up receiving 12 combined touches to Samaje Perine's 10, as the pair of backups combined to fill in for injured starter Javonte Williams (hamstring) on Sunday. McLaughlin wound up with the stronger fantasy day after catching one of Russell Wilson's two touchdown throws, giving the undrafted free agent two receiving touchdowns in as many weeks. Perine gained 95 total yards on his 10 touches, so the veteran figures to remain in the backfield mix if Williams isn't ready for Thursday's tilt against the Chiefs. In that scenario McLaughlin would become the preferred fantasy option in Denver's backfield after averaging 7.3 yards per carry so far as a rookie.

McLaughlin and Samaje Perine are in line to see expanded roles Sunday against the Jets with No. 1 back Javonte Williams (quadricep) inactive for the contest, Ryan McFadden of The Denver Post reports.

When Williams recorded just eight snaps (with two carries and three catches) on offense in last weekend's win over the Bears, Perine took 22 snaps for six carries for 12 yards, with two catches for 23 yards, while McLaughlin handled 16 snaps en route to carrying seven times for 72 yards and catching three passes for 32 yards and a touchdown. This time around, Dwayne Washington is in reserve, with Perine and McLaughlin on track to share the bulk of the team's Week 5 backfield work. Of the two, McLaughlin could be the upside play, based on his efforts last weekend.

McLaughlin rushed seven times for 72 yards while catching all three of his targets for 32 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 31-28 win over Chicago.

McLaughlin was Denver's most effective running back after Javonte Williams' (hip) early exit, while Samaje Perine mustered only 35 scrimmage yards on six carries and two targets. McLaughlin caught an 18-yard touchdown on a screen in the first quarter, then showcased his shiftiness with a 31-yard run in the third. The 5-foot-7 undrafted rookie out of Youngstown State -- who had a touchdown run in Week 2 -- has likely earned a permanent role on offense moving forward, regardless of Williams' availability in Week 5 against the Jets.

McLaughlin rushed five times for 15 yards in Sunday's 70-20 loss to the Dolphins

McLaughlin's 13 offensive snaps and five rushes Sunday were both high-water marks for the rookie in his young career. The 23-year-old running back was unable to get much going with his limited touches, as the entire offense tried to dig itself out of a blowout throughout the contest. Despite McLaughlin's talent, he remains off the fantasy radar with such few opportunities in Denver's offense. Barring an injury to Javonte Williams or Samaje Perine, the Youngstown State product can be ignored for fantasy purposes when the Broncos visit the Bears in Week 4.

McLaughlin carried once for five yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 35-33 loss to the Commanders.

Despite playing just three offensive snaps in Week 2, McLaughlin made the most of his one carry by finding the end zone for the first time in a regular season contest. The rookie running back has now seen the field for eight offensive snaps through two weeks, but he is continuing to prove that he can be a playmaker for Denver's offense. Unfortunately, McLaughlin remains difficult to trust for fantasy purposes, as his minimal usage likely won't afford him enough opportunities for consistent production. If either Javonte Williams or Samaje Perine were to miss time due to injury, the 23-year-old would likely carve out a solid role in the Broncos' backfield. McLaughlin and the Broncos will head to Miami for a matchup with the Dolphins in Week 3.

McLaughlin caught his only target for minus-7 yards and failed to record a single carry in Sunday's 17-16 loss to the Raiders.

Following an impressive preseason, McLaughlin's regular season debut left much to be desired. The rookie operated as the Broncos' No. 3 running back behind Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine. McLaughlin's five offensive snaps came in far behind the veterans, with Williams and Perine each seeing 29 snaps. With Williams healthy and Perine factoring in frequently, there weren't many opportunities left for the 22-year-old. Despite his talent, McLaughlin will likely find it difficult to see consistent usage in Denver's offense barring an injury to one of the top two backs. The Youngstown State product remains off the fantasy radar for a Week 2 matchup with the Commanders.

McLaughlin could have an immediate impact this season as Denver's No. 3 running back, Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post reports.

After an outstanding training camp and preseason, McLaughlin has done everything he can to impress the Broncos' coaching staff and earn a spot as one of the team's three running backs behind Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine. The undrafted rookie has proven to be a playmaker, and it's possible that head coach Sean Payton, who is known to use multiple backs, could find ways to get him touches. McLaughlin's speed, vision, and acceleration through holes make him an attractive option out of the backfield and should have him in the mix as a kick returner, as well. Though the 22-year-old has shown great potential, he'll likely be difficult to rely on for consistent fantasy production barring an injury to Williams or Perine.

McLaughlin is making a strong impression on the Broncos' veterans, Nick Kosmider of The Athletic reports.

OT Mike McGlinchey mentioned Thursday that numerous veterans have taken notice of McLaughlin, an undrafted rookie who joins Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine as one of three running backs on the initial 53-man roster. While unlikely to get many touches Week 1, if any, McLaughlin is at least worth monitoring for dynasty leagues after he scored four TDs during the preseason.

McLaughlin rushed 10 times for 48 yards and a touchdown and brought in four of five targets for 13 yards in the Broncos' 41-0 preseason win over the Rams on Saturday night.

McLaughlin was the first Broncos running back to log a touch and finished as the team leader in rushing yards. The undrafted rookie has been a pleasant surprise this summer, wrapping up the exhibition slate with 21 carries for 113 yards and three scores while adding seven catches for 33 yards and a touchdown. Consequently, McLaughlin could well have earned a No. 4 running back job, considering he arguably outperformed Tony Jones and Tyler Badie.

McLaughlin rushed seven times for 45 yards and a touchdown while adding both of his targets for eight yards and another score in Saturday's 21-20 loss to the 49ers.

McLaughlin continues to impress with the Broncos, as the undrafted free agent rookie accounted for Denver's only offensive points Saturday. The 22-year-old running back has continuously impressed during training camp with both his play and his dedication to learning the offense. If McLaughlin continues to turn heads, he has a solid chance to move up the depth chart behind Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine. It's important to note that McLaughlin was also used as a kick returner, returning a kickoff for 44 yards in the contest. The Youngstown State product could also carve out a role on special teams as well, helping him to secure a roster spot ahead of the 2023 campaign.

McLaughlin is standing out in practice and catching the attention of head coach Sean Payton, Chad Jensen of SI.com reports.

Despite being an undrafted rookie, McLaughlin is turning heads thus far in camp for all of the right reasons. The 5-foot-7, 187-pound running back is impressing in practice, as Payton said, "He has a little burst, and there's some toughness to him." Beyond his play on the field, McLaughlin's dedication has not gone unnoticed by his coach. "He's the first one here," Payton said. "I don't know what time he gets here in the morning, but it's pretty early. He's a guy you root for." McLaughlin totaled over 3,000 yards rushing and receiving while scoring 27 total touchdowns in his last two seasons at Youngstown State. If the 22-year-old can continue to garner positive attention for his play as preseason games get underway, he'll have the chance to compete for a roster spot behind Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine.