Denver Broncos faced an unexpected setback in their Week 4 clash against the Chicago Bears when star running back Javonte Williams suffered an injury. Williams, who had worked tirelessly during the offseason to recover from an ACL injury and make a triumphant return in Week 1, found himself facing another setback on the field. So, what exactly happened to Williams, and what is his status for the remainder of the game and beyond?

Williams’ injury occurred during the game, although the precise moment of the injury remains unclear. The Broncos initially announced that Williams was questionable to return in Week 4 due to a hip injury. However, the situation took a more concerning turn early in the third quarter when Denver officially ruled him out for the remainder of the game.

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The news was a source of disappointment for both Williams and Broncos fans alike. The talented running back had endured a challenging journey to return to the field after sustaining a severe injury in Week 4 of the 2022 season. At that time, Williams had suffered an ACL tear along with an LCL and posterolateral corner injury. Initial speculations had cast doubt on his availability for the start of the 2023 season, but Williams defied the odds by putting in the hard work during the offseason and making himself available for Week 1.

In the early stages of the game against the Bears, Williams had recorded just two carries for no yards before exiting due to the hip injury. In the three games leading up to this injury, he had managed to accumulate 138 rushing yards on 36 attempts, although he had yet to find the end zone.

With Williams sidelined, the Broncos turned to their depth chart for solutions. Denver had already recognized the need for a complementary running back and had signed former Cincinnati Bengals player Samaje Perine to a two-year, $7 million deal during the offseason. If Williams misses significant playing time, Perine is expected to step into the role of the Broncos’ RB1.

In addition to Perine, the Broncos also have undrafted rookie free agent Jaleel McLaughlin and NFL journeyman Dwayne Washington on their roster. McLaughlin saw action with two carries during the game against the Bears, while Washington had not yet received an attempt.

Also Read: Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Evans suffers hamstring injury, is out of game

The fantasy football landscape could also see some fallout from Williams’ injury. If he misses an extended period, Samaje Perine becomes an intriguing fantasy option as the lead running back in Denver. While his upside may be limited, Perine’s addition could serve as valuable depth during bye weeks. However, facing the Jets and Chiefs in the coming weeks, he may not rank among the top-20 running backs.