Just a few days after putting on the best performance of his career, Denver Broncos rookie running back Jonah Coleman was nominated for the NFL Rookie of the Week. In his second game back from a high-ankle sprain, the former Washington Huskies standout made a pair of clutch plays that helped stage a late fourth-quarter comeback against the division rival Kansas City Chiefs.
Trailing by as much as 11 in the final period, Denver was able to do what they have done many times this season: pull off a dramatic come-from-behind victory. Trailing by three with under four minutes to play, the physical back showed off the full toolkit, taking a checkdown pass 51 yards before being brought down inside the Kansas City 5-yard line. The very next play, head
coach Sean Payton rewarded his rookie by trusting him again, this time on a 4-yard rushing touchdown to give the Broncos the go-ahead score.
Since returning from injured reserve in Week Seven, Coleman has led the backfield in carries (20) and rushing yards (95). Coming off an AFC Championship appearance, the Broncos' offense has struggled mightily, especially on the ground. Denver ranks No. 24 out of 32 teams in rushing yards per game, putting up a mere 92 yards on the ground. With his fourth-round pick finally healthy, Payton's offense has started to show signs of life as of late.
During his time in Seattle, he displayed the ability to do a little bit of everything out of the backfield. Listed at 5-foot-9 and 220 pounds, the stout athlete was a nightmare for opposing defenders to bring down. He wasn't just a force to be reckoned with on the ground, though, as the All-Big Ten honoree posted over 500 receiving yards over the course of his two seasons at Washington.
After being selected No. 108 in the 2026 NFL draft, the first-year pro has found himself in a unique predicament, as the Denver running back room also features veteran J.K. Dobbins and second-year player RJ Harvey, both of whom put up respectable numbers last season. However, both ball carriers were forced to miss time due to injury last year, resulting in the Denver front office investing in the do-it-all running back out of UW.
Seemingly emerging as the lead man in the backfield alongside quarterback Bo Nix, especially after Harvey was placed on IR ahead of the matchup with Kansas City, the Broncos offense has slowly started to turn things around. Riding a four-game winning streak and sitting atop the AFC West, Coleman will look to build upon his standout performance last week as Denver travels east to take on a vulnerable Carolina Panthers defense.
This article originally appeared on Huskies Wire: Former Washington RB Jonah Coleman Nominated as NFL Rookie of the Week
