Kiz: With the hiring of new coach Sean Payton, the Broncos again have an adult in the room, front and center, at team meetings. The presence of Payton alone gives Denver a shot to make the playoffs. But I believe an even bigger factor to the team’s fortunes will be how quickly Javonte Williams recovers from a nasty knee injury suffered last October against the Raiders. So let’s try to balance optimism with common sense. What’s the best we can expect from Williams in his first season back on the field?
Gabriel: Wait a second, aren’t you supposed to be spending your days listening to Roundball Rock and chronicling an honest-to-goodness postseason run? What’s all this football talk? As it happens, Payton delivered the most optimistic update on Williams to date last time he talked, saying he thought the third-year back has a chance to return for the start of training camp in late July. Day 1 of camp — I know you can’t wait — will be just shy of 10 months post-injury for Williams, who had more damage than just the ACL tear to try to bounce back from. If he’s actually ready to be back on the field before the one-year mark — call it Week 4 at Chicago — in my mind that’s a pretty substantial win. But being cleared and on the field isn’t’ the same thing as being Javonte Williams.
Kiz: In four decades covering athletes returning an ACL injury, what takes the most time to recover is their explosiveness … and, even trickier, their peace of mind. Anybody who has marveled at Williams breaking a tackle knows he’s one tough cookie. Among the few feel-good stories on the Broncos last season was Latavius Murray, who filled in admirably in Williams’ absence. If Williams can perform better than Murray did in 2022 by producing 800 yards rushing and six touchdowns in his first season back from a major injury, I’d consider that a major victory.
Gabriel: Your reputation as an eternal optimist is widely hailed and for good reason, Kiz. Maybe I’ll look back on this as overly cautious, but I’m of the mind that if Williams avoids the route Baltimore running back JK Dobbins traversed — 13 months rehabilitation, four less-than-stellar games early on in 2022, then another six weeks on injured reserve before returning and looking closer to himself — that counts as a positive outcome. Denver signed Samaje Perine and Tony Jones Jr. to fortify for life without Williams, or at least life with a limited Williams, for as long as it takes. Even if he’s beating the original timeline, it’s a rugged recovery.
Kiz: I’m lucky to type 60 words a minute on a good day. So there’s no way I possess the medical expertise to make a solid projection on the status of Williams’ health when the Broncos take the field for their season-opener against the Raiders. But it would be sweet to see him back on the field against the division rival that sadly ended his 2022 campaign. My boldest, most optimistic prediction? If Williams is anywhere close to 100% for more than a dozen games this season, the Broncos will make the playoffs.
Gabriel: I’ll turn that around somewhat: The Broncos should be extra cautious with Williams and build him back slowly with eyes toward having him hammering away at the Chargers in the cold Denver air on New Years Eve with Wild Card positioning in the balance. Can they do enough to get to that point in the first place if he’s not 100% in the early going?
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