Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin (quadriceps) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers. McLaughlin opened the week as a non-participate but was able to upgrade to a limited participant on Tuesday. However, he was downgraded on Thursday and will set his sights on returning in Week 17 to face the Cincinnati Bengals. The 24-year-old left last weekend's game early with this injury. Before departing, McLaughlin tallied 21 yards on seven attempts. McLaughlin has struggled to find consistent attempts in the offense but has flashed some upside when given work, as he has averaged 5.3 yards per carry over his past four games. With McLaughlin ruled out, fantasy managers should expect Javonte Williams to see a majority of the opportunities out of the backfield.
Dec 18, 2024 4:42 PM EST
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.
Dec 16, 2024 9:55 PM EST
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.
Dec 16, 2024 12:46 AM EST
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.
Dec 15, 2024 6:52 PM EST
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.
Dec 13, 2024 11:21 PM EST
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.
Dec 3, 2024 12:38 AM EST
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%.
Nov 30, 2024 9:43 PM EST
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.
Nov 25, 2024 12:18 AM EST
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.
Nov 24, 2024 6:19 PM EST
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.
Nov 24, 2024 4:42 PM EST
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.
Nov 8, 2024 8:28 PM EST
Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin did very little in the 41-10 blowout loss to the hosting Baltimore Ravens on Sunday in Week 9, carrying the ball five times for only 10 yards and catching all three of his targets for another 10 yards through the air. It was a disappointing showing after scoring his third touchdown of the year in the Week 8 win over the Carolina Panthers. Rookie Audric Estime had just as many carries as McLaughlin on the day and was more productive with 35 yards (seven yards per carry), while lead back Javonte Williams finished with 14 touches for 84 yards total. Between rookie QB Bo Nix and Estime, McLaughlin is unlikely to see much rushing volume unless Williams misses time with an injury. The 24-year-old is hard to recommend as a flex play, even in deep fantasy leagues, heading into a Week 10 matchup against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs.
Nov 4, 2024 12:00 AM EST
Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin has more total touchdowns (three) than backfield mate Javonte Williams in eight games in 2024, but that doesn't mean he's a recommended fantasy play heading into a Week 9 road date against the Baltimore Ravens. McLaughlin had eight carries for a team-high 47 yards while catching his lone target for a nine-yard touchdown reception (his second of the year) in last week's win over the Carolina Panthers. The 24-year-old's 56 scrimmage yards were a season-high in an excellent matchup, proving exactly why he has such low fantasy floor. Denver's offense has improved of late, but McLaughlin just isn't getting enough volume to be considered as more than an RB4/flex in deeper fantasy leagues. McLaughlin will also be facing a Ravens defense that has allowed the fewest rushing yards per game this year at 69.9.
Nov 2, 2024 5:00 PM EST
Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin totaled 47 yards on his eight carries in the team's 28-14 victory over the Carolina Panthers. The second-year back added nine yards and a touchdown on his lone target. McLaughlin was again efficient with his touches, notching his third outing of the season with 5+ yards per carry and his second in as many weeks. The receiving touchdown was his second on the season and third total of the campaign -- one more than backfield mate Javonte Williams. He's been effective in his change-of-pace role in Denver's offense. The former undrafted free agent has a bit more juice than his counterpart; however, he's considerably more diminutive in stature than Williams. Standing three inches shorter (5-foot-7) and over 30 pounds lighter, he may never take over Denver's "thumper" role and likely won't garner standalone value unless the fourth-year back is forced to miss time. The Broncos will take on the Ravens next Sunday in Week 9.
Oct 27, 2024 9:20 PM EST
Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin hasn't made much of an impact on the ground this season. McLaughlin has seen four or less carries in each of the last two games. Last week, McLaughlin only played a little over 20 percent of the snaps while Javonte Williams saw over 60 percent of the playing time. At this point, McLaughlin has become the clear backup to Williams in the backfield. It's also worth noting that rookie Audric Estime is expected to be involved as well. McLaughlin is worth stashing and holding in dynasty leagues, but doesn't offer much weekly value with Williams healthy right now. He isn't a recommended option against the Carolina Panthers in Week 8.
Oct 26, 2024 6:20 PM EST
In the Denver Broncos blowout victory over the New Orleans Saints on Thursday night in Week 7, rookie running back Audric Estime out-carried Jaleel McLaughlin five to four, although McLaughlin out-gained the rookie 35 to 29 on the ground in the 33-10 victory. Estime also lost a fumble. Lead back Javonte Williams was the real winner on the night for Denver's offense with 14 carries for a season-high 88 yards and his first two touchdowns of the year. Estime's five carries were a season-high after seeing two totes apiece in his first two NFL games in Weeks 1 and 6. Although Estime could be in head coach Sean Payton's doghouse after losing a fumble against New Orleans, the rookie's presence in Denver's backfield moving forward is yet another reason why McLaughlin cannot be trusted in starting fantasy lineups. Neither RB was targeted in the passing game on Thursday.
Oct 18, 2024 12:21 AM EST
Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin just cannot be trusted in starting fantasy lineups for a Week 7 primetime clash against the hosting New Orleans Saints on Thursday night. McLaughlin checks in as the RB58 in terms of half-PPR points per game through six weeks in his second year in the NFL. The Broncos are averaging just over 100 rushing yards a game in 2024, with neither McLaughlin nor Javonte Williams doing much on the ground. The lone bright spot is that McLaughlin has found the end zone twice (one rushing, one receiving), but he's only seen double-digit carries once (back in Week 1) and is averaging a paltry 3.2 yards per carry on 36 attempts. The volume just isn't there for McLaughlin to be a viable starting option for fantasy managers, especially now that rookie Audric Estime is back in the mix.
Oct 17, 2024 12:28 AM EST
Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin had season-low-tying three carries for eight yards in the 23-16 Week 6 loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, adding two catches on two targets for 17 yards through the air. Rookie Audric Estime, who was activated from Injured Reserve to make his NFL debut on Sunday, had two carries for 13 yards. McLaughlin has found the end zone twice in six games, but he's had double-digits in carries just once (back in Week 1) and hasn't topped 46 yards on the ground. It's been a theme this year so far of the Broncos' ground game being stuck in the mud, and that theme returned against a tough Bolts defense. Now that Estime is in the fold as the RB3 in Denver's backfield, it will be even harder for McLaughlin to return any fantasy value in deeper formats. RotoBaller won't be recommending the second-year back for starting lineups in Week 7 against the Saints.
Oct 13, 2024 11:57 PM EST
Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin has very little fantasy upside heading into a Week 6 matchup against the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers, a defense that has been stingy against the run in 2024. McLaughlin enters Sunday's game in Denver as the RB45 in half-PPR scoring as the backup to Javonte Williams in one of the lower-scoring offenses in the NFL. The 24-year-old has managed to find the end zone twice (one rushing, one receiving) in five games while averaging a weak 3.3 yards per carry on 33 rushing attempts. The potential addition of rookie Audric Estime (ankle) to the backfield this weekend is also bad news for McLaughlin moving forward. He's just not getting enough weekly touches to matter much in fantasy and hasn't been efficient at all with the touches he's been afforded. McLaughlin is only rostered in 19% of Yahoo leagues is an RB4/flex, at best, in deeper leagues.
Oct 12, 2024 7:11 AM EST
Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin only had six carries for 22 yards rushing (3.67 yards per carry) in the 38-14 win over the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders in Week 5. It was more of the same for McLaughlin in the fifth game of the season, but he did manager to salvage his fantasy day somewhat for those that used him in a flex spot in deeper leagues with three catches on his four targets for three yards and his second touchdown of the year. The touchdown was nice for the 24-year-old, but it came on a day in which backfield mate Javonte Williams led the team in both rushing and receiving as their primary offense weapon. McLaughlin has scored twice and Williams is still searching for his first score, but he's the clear No. 2 in an offense that finally broke out for the first time in five weeks. He was out-touched 18 to nine by Williams. In a Week 6 matchup against a tougher defense in the Los Angeles Chargers, McLaughlin will be tough to trust in a flex spot.
Oct 7, 2024 1:41 AM EST