Who Is Javonte Williams Backup Running Back? Javonte Williams Injury Update

October 4, 2022

Is Javonte Williams hurt or healthy? Is Javonte Williams playing in Week 5 fantasy football or is he injured? Read the latest Week 5 fantasy football injury updates.

Javonte Williams was a popular pick as a potential breakout candidate in 2022 after showing some flashes of his incredible ability during his rookie season in a timeshare with Melvin Gordon III.

This year, he's gotten off to a bit of a slow start in terms of fantasy production despite the high expectations of fantasy managers for the 2022 season. He’s had touchdown opportunities and carries vultured from Gordon, leaving fantasy managers wanting to rip their hair out at the timeshare in the Denver backfield.

It looks like the Javonte breakout will have to be put on hold this season, as he exited Week 4 early and did not return with an apparent knee injury.

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Is Javonte Williams Healthy Or Injured?

There was fear coming out of Denver that their stud running back has suffered a potentially serious knee injury, and that was proven to be true after further testing was conducted.

#Broncos RB Javonte Williams suffered a torn ACL in Sunday’s loss to the #Raiders, per source. His season is over. pic.twitter.com/4z8SgHnPhr

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 3, 2022

Williams has suffered a torn ACL and LCL and will be out for the remainder of the season, paving the way for a comeback season in 2023. Let's take a look at what we can expect the Denver backfield to look like without their top dog.

Broncos RBs' Fantasy Football Outlook For 2022

In Williams’ absence, it looks like we could see a pretty even split with Gordon and Mike Boone. Gordon had a fumble that led to a touchdown in Week 4, which saw Boone play 33 percent of the snaps compared to Gordon’s 19 percent.

#Broncos RB Usage with Javonte Williams leaving early due to knee injury

- Mike Boone: 33% snaps, 3 carries, 3 targets
- Melvin Gordon: 19% snaps, 3 carries, 1 target

Gordon continues to have fumble issues. Boone is a waiver wire target if Javonte misses time

— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) October 2, 2022

Still, it is safe to say Gordon will be considered the lead back of the Denver offense in Williams’ absence, but Boone figures to cut into his workload quite a bit.

Gordon could offer some value as a low-end RB2, but fantasy managers shouldn't get too excited about his future outlook considering the Denver coaching staff is notorious for taking a committee approach to the backfield.

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