McLaughlin has new competition for snaps after Denver used the 60th overall pick on RB RJ Harvey in the 2025 Draft.

EDGE Analysis

The addition of competition was a matter of when, not if, after the Broncos lost Javonte Williams (Cowboys) from a backfield that was among the league's worst in 2024. McLaughlin caught on with the team as an undrafted rookie in 2023 and has proven elusive while averaging 4.8 YPC on 189 career rush attempts, but there's no real precedent for mainstream fantasy value from a running back his size (5-foot-7, 187 pounds) who isn't an asset in the passing game. McLaughlin has scored four of his six TDs on receptions, but with a meager average of 4.3 yards on 55 catches. He'll hope to be part of a committee again in 2025, with some risk of falling out of the picture in the event Harvey (5-foot-8, 205 pounds with 4.4 speed) proves himself a capable workhorse.

McLaughlin rushed twice for minus-two yards and secured his lone target for zero yards in Sunday's 31-7 wild-card loss to the Bills.

EDGE Analysis

McLaughlin was not a big part of the game plan Sunday, playing just eight of the Broncos 42 offensive snaps in the contest behind teammate Javonte Williams (31) and ahead of Tyler Badie (3). The 24-year-old running back finished the 2024 regular season with 113 carries for 496 yards and one touchdown, a 24-76-2 receiving line on 27 targets and one lost fumble across 16 games. McLaughlin's carry total and rushing yards set career highs in both categories, as he saw his involvement in the ground game increase in his sophomore season. The Youngstown State product will enter his third season in 2025 with the opportunity to take a step forward in the offense. Williams will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, so his possible departure could open things up for McLaughlin to step into a larger role in Denver's backfield. With that said, he'll likely continue to face competition from Audric Estime, Badie and any other running back who could be added through free agency or the draft.

McLaughlin recorded 16 rushes for 39 yards in Sunday's 38-0 win over the Chiefs. He added two receptions on two targets for nine yards.

EDGE Analysis

McLaughlin saw a season-high 16 carries despite getting only two rushing attempts in the fourth quarter of a blowout win. He did lack effectiveness by averaging just 2.4 yards per carry, with his longest gain going for just nine yards. While McLaughlin isn't likely to see a traditional workhorse role, all indications are that he is the top back in Denver's backfield heading into a wild-card round matchup against the Bills.

McLaughlin rushed the ball 10 times for 69 yards in Saturday's 30-24 overtime loss to the Bengals. He added two receptions on two targets for seven yards.

EDGE Analysis

McLaughlin returned from a quadriceps injury that sidelined him in Week 16, and he narrowly led the Broncos' backfield in touches. While the split backfield continues to hold back his overall stat lines, McLaughlin was impressive with his opportunity by picking up at least 10 yards on four of his 10 carries. He appears to be the most trustworthy running back in the offense heading into a Week 18 matchup against the Chiefs, but his fantasy appeal remains limited due to the unpredictable division of touches.

McLaughlin (quadricep) practiced fully Wednesday, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

McLaughlin was inactive for this past Thursday's game against the Chargers, but the running back's return to full practice participation Wednesday (after a limited session Tuesday) paves the way for him to return to action Sunday against the Bengals. In that context, he'll rejoin a backfield that also includes Javonte Williams and Audric Estime, which sets up a potential time share that makes McLaughlin a hit-or-miss fantasy lineup option in Week 17.

McLaughlin (quadricep) was a limited practice participant Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

After exiting the Broncos' Week 15 win over the Colts on Dec. 15 with the quad injury, McLaughlin was unable to heal up quickly enough to play on a short week, prompting Denver to make him inactive for last Thursday's 34-27 loss to the Chargers. He'll have a better chance at returning to action for Saturday's game at Cincinnati, though McLaughlin will likely need to upgrade to full participation in practice Wednesday or Thursday to avoid carrying a designation into the contest.

McLaughlin (quadriceps) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Chargers.

EDGE Analysis

McLaughlin made an early exit from Sunday's win over the Colts and never returned to the game, finishing with 10 touches for 34 yards. The Broncos then listed him as a non-participant Monday and Wednesday, sandwiched around a 'limited' listing Tuesday. McLaughlin has played less than 40 percent of the snaps on offense in every game this season, but he's taken on a larger share of the backfield carries/touches in recent weeks, which mean his absence warrants significant upgrades to the Week 16 projections for fellow Broncos RBs Javonte Williams and Audric Estime -- neither of whom has found much luck on the ground this year.

McLaughlin (quadriceps) was estimated as a limited participant in Tuesday's practice walkthrough.

EDGE Analysis

McLaughlin was tagged as DNP in Monday's walkthrough, so his designation as limited Tuesday indicates a step in the right direction. The 24-year-old departed Sunday's win over the Colts early due to a quad issue, and it's uncertain at this point if he'll be able to suit up on a short turnaround Thursday against the Chargers. McLaughlin started the contest against Indianapolis ahead of the struggling Javonte Williams, and the same situation could be in order Thursday if McLaughlin is able to play.

McLaughlin (quadriceps) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's estimated practice report, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

McLaughlin exited Sunday's win over the Colts early with the injury. Prior to leaving, McLaughlin rushed seven times for 21 yards and caught all three of his targets for 13 yards in the pass game. If McLaughlin can't play Thursday night against the Chargers, rookie Audric Estime would be in line for more work alongside Javonte Williams out of Denver's backfield.

McLaughlin left Sunday's game against the Colts after sustaining a quad injury, Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Before his exit from the contest, McLaughlin carried seven times for 21 yards and caught all three of his targets for 13 yards. In his absence, Javonte Williams and Audric Estime will handle Denver's Week 15 backfield duties.