December 24th 2024.
The Broncos have been facing uncertainty with their running back situation, but things may be looking up with the potential return of Tyler Badie.
On Tuesday, Badie was seen practicing with the team, as he has now entered the 21-day window for return-to-play ahead of Saturday's game against Cincinnati. Badie had recently been promoted to the 53-man roster and was expected to be a regular in the running back rotation until he suffered a back injury in Week 4 against the Jets.
Fortunately, head coach Sean Payton has provided a positive update on Badie's progress, stating that he is doing well and has a good grasp of the system. Getting him back on the practice field is a major step forward for the team.
However, just because Badie is practicing does not necessarily mean he will play in the team's final two regular-season games. As seen last year with Alex Palczewski, who was activated from injured reserve but never played, the Broncos may choose to take a cautious approach with Badie.
Nonetheless, Badie's potential return adds options to a group that has seen playing time rotate among different players. In fact, Payton seems determined to give rookie Audric Estime more opportunities, praising his performance and physicality in recent games.
Estime, who is averaging 4.6 yards per carry, had a solid outing against the Chargers on Thursday, running for 48 yards and a touchdown on nine carries. He has also emphasized the importance of staying ready and focused, regardless of his role in the game.
Payton also mentioned rookie Blake Watson, who was promoted from the practice squad on Tuesday to prevent other teams from poaching him. The team's leading rusher, Javonte Williams, has struggled to find success on the ground recently, but is valuable as a pass-catcher and in pass protection. Estime is working hard to improve in these areas and earn the trust of his coaches and quarterback Bo.
With the potential return of Badie, the Broncos may have to make a decision on who to keep active on game day, as they typically only have three running backs on the roster. Payton is quickly learning the strengths of his young team and trying to utilize them to their full potential.
As the team continues to navigate through the uncertainties of the season, fans can stay updated on all the latest Broncos news by signing up for the Broncos Insider.
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