"Joke of a league" "POLICE THE HIP-DROP": Fans call out NFL as J.K. Dobbins suffers season-ending foot injury ahead of Week 11 showdown vs. Chiefs

Denver Broncos star running back J.K. Dobbins is headed to injured reserve after suffering a foot injury that will require season-ending surgery. Dobbins, who joined the Broncos after spending the 2024 season with the LA Chargers, was one of the brightest spots of his team this campaign.

Broncos fans received bad news from insider Adam Schefter, who shared the latest on the five-year veteran.

"Broncos RB J.K. Dobbins will be placed on injured reserve with a foot injury that requires surgery and likely end his season, per ESPN sources. Dobbins sustained the injury on a hip-drop tackle during the Broncos’ Thursday night win against the Raiders. Set to become a free agent after the year, Dobbins was fifth in the league in rushing and is expected to make a full recovery."

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Fans called out the league on social media, criticizing the league's lack of accountability when it comes to the hip-drop tackle.

"Congratulations, y’all just ruined the career of a fantastic player all because ya couldn’t regulate the hip drop tackle correctly. Joke of a league," one fan said. "POLICE THE HIP-DROP," another fan said. "(NFL) more worried about their refs getting hurt feelings after a game than enforcing one of the most dangerous plays in the game. This young man’s career is on y’all," another fan said.

More fans questioned why the league didn't act fast when the play happened.

"Have they still not fined/suspended that player for the hip drop tackle that caused this?" one fan said. "It’s odd to me that the NFL made such a big deal about player safety and the hip drop tackle specifically for a season or two and now literally never call the penalty. The only league that has 'trendy' penalties,'" another fan said. "How was this not called a penalty on the field, and more egregiously, how did Wilson avoid a fine?!" another fan said.

When did J.K. Dobbins get injured?

At 4:30 in the third quarter of the Week 10 duel between the Denver Broncos and the Las Vegas Raiders, J.K. Dobbins got the ball and attempted to run through the Raiders' defense. Defensive end Tyree Wilson tackled him, hurting Dobbins. The running back couldn't get up right away, even after one of his offensive linemen offered him his hand.

Dobbins suffered a torn ligament in his foot. He sought opinions from several experts before deciding on surgery.

In 10 games, Dobbins carried the ball 153 times for 772 yards and four touchdowns.

Edited by Orlando Silva