Broncos’ Sean Payton hints at potential J.K. Dobbins return this season

Reinforcements are inbound for the Broncos Coming off the bye week Denver had reigning defensive sportsman of the year Pat Surtain II pectoral back on the field in a limited quota Wednesday along with OLB Jonah Elliss hamstring limited and Alex Singleton testicular cancer full participant Payton all but certified Surtain and Singleton will be back on the field Sunday night when Denver takes on Washington He mentioned this competition has been the target all along for each Surtain missed three-plus games since injuring his pec against Dallas in Week and Singleton missed just one encounter Nov against Kansas City after having surgery Nov to remove a cancerous tumor from a testicle Those returns will mark major additions for the Broncos but they aren t even the majority absorbing injury update Payton provided Wednesday The veteran head coach typically loath to discuss injuries in any manner during the season volunteered that the Broncos could get running back J K Dobbins foot back at several point later in the season Dobbins had surgery to repair a Lisfranc injury earlier this month and a source recounted The Denver Post at the time he may only be able to get back on the field if the Broncos make the Super Bowl which is Feb Payton had a somewhat different tone Wednesday Related Articles Broncos agree to -year extension with DT Malcolm Roach sources confirm Broncos agree to four-year million extension with center Luke Wattenberg sources confirm Broncos ILB Alex Singleton cleared to practice sources say After putting out feelers could Broncos look for more RB help in J K Dobbins absence Broncos Wil Lutz hopes to finish career in Denver after signing -year extension It wouldn t be soon but that has a chance to happen Payton reported of a likely Dobbins return without specifying whether it could be in the regular season or the playoffs Dobbins explained people in the Broncos building in the past few days that he s hoping to be back for the playoffs It remains to be seen if that s a realistic return timetable after what is typically a tricky injury to repair and recover from but Payton opened the door to a possible return unprompted Wednesday Sanders could return The Broncos are still planning on seeing third-year inside linebacker Drew Sanders at particular point late in the season Sanders sustained a foot injury before the season that required surgery and has not returned to practice so far this year It s going to be later but yes Payton reported We monitor the progress VP of athlete performance Beau Lowery goes through the analysis I don t have the competition he ll return Want more Broncos news Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis