Javonte Williams injury update changes running back plans for Broncos

After suffering a season-ending ACL/LCL tear last season, Javonte Williams' recovery might not be quite as clean as Denver has indicated, making it possible the team will prioritize an addition to the running backs room more than they have let on.

Although Broncos GM George Paton has said that the third-year back is "on track (to be ready for the regular season)," NBC Sports' Matthew Berry heard opposite at the NFL Scouting Combine.

"I was told he is currently a lot more hurt than the team is letting on publically," wrote Berry. "And there is actually a chance he misses all of next year."

According to The Mayo Clinic, it can take athletes up to 12 months to fully recover from an ACL tear, though that timeline obviously varies from case-to-case. Given Willams' injury status, rushing his recovery before the regular season would be foolish, regardless.

To help shore up depth concerns, Denver would be wise to re-sign Latavius Murray, its leading rusher from the 2022-23 season, as well as pursue a free agent at the position.

Miles Sanders is an ideal possibility on the latter front, having rushed for a career-high 1,269 yards in 17 games last season (fifth in the NFL). His market value is a two-year deal worth $7.2M annually, per Spotrac. But the Eagles may simply be unable to retain him in the face of their slew of 20 free agents, a long list which includes six-time Pro Bowl DT Fletcher Cox.

A player like Sanders would be an appealing target because he fills the need without cooking a team's checkbook.