Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin (quad) did not suit up for practice on Monday. It's worth noting that this was an estimated practice report, so fantasy managers shouldn't read too much into it. McLaughlin was forced to exit early during Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts. That being said, McLaughlin appears to be in danger of sitting out Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers. If that happens, Javonte Williams and Audric Estime would see more snaps in the backfield. Between the two, Williams is the more appealing fantasy option. Williams has struggled recently, but had some decent performances earlier in the season.
Jaleel McLaughlin Finishes With 34 Scrimmage Yards, Picks Up Quad Injury
Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin (quadriceps) picked up a quadriceps injury in the 31-13 Week 15 win over the visiting Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Before leaving, McLaughlin handled seen carries (a team-high among RBs) for 21 yards (3.0 yards per carry) while adding three catches on three targets for an additional 13 yards through the air. Neither Javonte Williams nor Audric Estime were able to capitalize on McLaughlin's injury, as they combined for 11 carries and 28 yards and three catches (four targets) for 13 yards. It was a disappointing performance from McLaughlin against a Colts defense that has been gashed on the ground all year, but then again, Denver's rushing attack hasn't really done much of anything all season. Heading into a short week on Thursday against the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers, McLaughlin's availability could be in question. If active, he'll be an avoidable RB3/flex.
Jaleel McLaughlin Questionable To Return Versus Indy
Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin (quadriceps) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Colts. The 24-year-old had 84 yards off 14 carries versus the Browns heading into the Broncos' bye. He has also led the way on the rushing end in Week 15, amassing seven touches for 21 yards and adding three catches for 13 yards. But if he doesn't return, that should mean more work for Javonte Williams and Audric Estime for the rest of the contest. That should remain the case if McLaughlin isn't available on Thursday night versus the Chargers.
Jaleel McLaughlin With Great Matchup In Week 15, Still Hard To Trust In Fantasy
Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin has an excellent matchup upcoming in Week 15 against an Indianapolis Colts defense that has allowed the second-most rushing yards per game (147) and the fourth-most half-PPR fantasy points to RBs this year. With that said, McLaughlin is still a tough-to-trust flex option for fantasy managers in 14-plus-team leagues given the uncertainty in Denver's backfield. After looking like the RB3 for the Broncos just several weeks ago, McLaughlin played a season-high 36% of the snaps in the Week 13 win over the Browns and led the backfield with a season-high 14 carries for a season-high 84 yards. On seven carries the week prior, he led the team with 44 yards on the ground. Javonte Williams (45% snap share) last week and rookie Audric Estime remain involved, and Denver's ground game just has not been spectacular all season long. McLaughlin will need to be efficient and lead the team in carries, which is not a given, to return value as an RB3/flex in Week 15.
Jaleel McLaughlin Leads Denver's Backfield With Season-High 84 Yards Against Browns
For the second straight week, Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin served as the team's lead back in the 41-32 shootout win under the lights on Monday Night Football at Empower Field against the Cleveland Browns. McLaughlin led Denver in rushing attempts (14) and rushing yards (84) while also catching one of his two targets for no gain. The 24-year-old looked like the No. 3 RB on Denver's depth chart just several weeks ago, but he was quick and elusive on Monday night against a shaky Browns run game and deserves waiver-wire consideration for fantasy managers in need of RB help with the playoffs approaching. While McLaughlin finished with 15 touches for 84 yards, Javonte Williams and rookie Audric Estime combined for seven carries for 13 yards and one catch for three yards. Keep in mind that this was only McLaughlin's second double-digit carry game of the year, with the first coming in Week 1.
Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime Hard To Trust Against The Browns
Denver Broncos running backs Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime will be involved in a committee backfield in Denver for the Monday night matchup against the Cleveland Browns in Week 13, making them hard to recommend for a starting lineup spot in fantasy in most leagues. Each of McLaughlin and Estime have led the Broncos' backfield in separate weeks in the last three games, but the problem is Javonte Williams also remains involved despite lots of inconsistency in 2024. McLaughlin looked to be third on the depth chart a few weeks ago but led the backfield with seven carries for 44 yards in last week's win over the Raiders. Estime had just three carries for 15 yards. Both RBs have seen double-digit carries once this year (McLaughlin way back in Week 1). Last week in the win over Vegas, McLaughlin played only 29% of the snaps, with Estime playing 7%.
Jaleel McLaughlin Surprisingly Leads Broncos In Rushing In Win Over Raiders
The Denver Broncos may have the workings of a frustrating three-man committee backfield after running back Jaleel McLaughlin had seven carries for a team-high 44 rushing yards in the 29-19 win over the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders in Week 12 on Sunday. McLaughlin wasn't able to reel in his only target. Javonte Williams actually led Denver with eight rushing attempts but lost two yards, while McLaughlin was efficient with 6.3 yards per carry. It had appeared that the 24-year-old was relegated to RB3 duties for the Broncos coming into this game behind Williams and rookie Audric Estime, but that's not what transpired in Sin City. The second-year back has only had double-digit carries once all year (back in Week 1) and should remain on the waiver wire in most leagues. If this is a true committee backfield moving forward, all three Broncos backs will be shaky RB3/flex options, at best.
Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin (knee) returned to Sunday's meeting with the Raiders. He exited in the first quarter because of a knee injury. Fortunately, it doesn't appear it was anything serious. With that in mind, his return should mean less work for Javonte Williams and Audric Estime, although his presence shouldn't jeopardize the duo's workload much.
Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin (knee) exited during the first quarter of Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders. He is officially questionable to return. Local media spotted McLaughlin testing his knee on the sideline in hopes of returning to the contest. At the time of his departure, he had two carries for 29 rushing yards. Javonte Williams and Audric Estime will lead the Denver backfield until McLaughlin can return.
Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin's fantasy stock is down heading into a tough Week 10 divisional matchup on the road against the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs. McLaughlin hasn't really been a realistic starting option for fantasy managers all year, but he's especially off the radar going up against a Chiefs defense that has allowed the fewest half-PPR points to RBs in nine games. He had just eight touches for 20 yards in the Week 9 loss to the Baltimore Ravens and saw rookie Audric Estime handle just as many carries while being more productive. Head coach Sean Payton said he wants to get Estime more involved moving forward, which is most likely going to come at the expense of McLaughlin. The second-year back has taken a step back in 2024 and is averaging just 5.7 half-PPR points this year, which ranks him 50th among all RBs in the league.
Jaleel McLaughlin
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Broncos
