Through the first weeks of the 2024 NFL season, Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams was averaging 2.16 yards per carry. Fans and pundits (including Broncos Wire) were worried that the running back’s 2022 knee injury might prevent him from ever getting back on track.
Then Williams rushed 16 times for 77 yards against the New York Jets in Week 4. He followed that up with 13 carries for 61 yards against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 5, adding five receptions for 50 yards.
Following his first game this season with more than 100 yards from scrimmage, Williams has averaged 4.75 yards per carry over the last two weeks. Broncos coach Sean Payton praised the running back following Sunday’s win.
“I think Javonte ran hard,” Payton said after the team’s 34-18 win over the Raiders. “I think you guys felt that. I did. There was a little bit more stress on that room relative to the two backs knowing they were going to get a bigger workload as opposed to three total. I was really proud with how he played. I have not seen the film, but I think we blocked [for] him pretty good.”
Williams also remains the team’s best pass-blocking running back.
Javonte Williams has been one of the league's best pass protecting backs through five weeks of the NFL season. pic.twitter.com/06xHpoQvbQ
— Frankie Abbott (@FrankiesFilm) October 8, 2024
Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin carried the workload against Las Vegas after the team placed Tyler Badie (back) on injured reserve. Audric Estime (ankle) is eligible to return from IR this week, so Denver could have three backs part of their rotation against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 6.
Following consecutive games averaging more than 4.6 YPC, Williams certainly appears to be back on track with the Broncos, and his fantasy football stock is trending up.
