Jonah Coleman was back in NFL action on Sunday after coming off injured reserve with a high ankle sprain.
The former Washington Huskies running back and current Denver Broncos rookie led his team in carries and was a major factor as a pass blocker in a 30-16 win for the Broncos over the Arizona Cardinals, which brought Denver to 5-2 and half a game back from the Kansas City Chiefs, who lost to the Seattle Seahawks, in the AFC West.
Coleman had 9 carries for 54 yards, frequently looking like Denver's most explosive running back, and would have led the Broncos in rushing if quarterback Bo Nix didn't rip off a 62-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter. The former Husky also had 2 catches for 15 yards and was praised consistently on the broadcast
for his pass blocking to protect Nix, who had one of his more efficient games of the season.
Coleman, a two-year star at Washington after following head coach Jedd Fisch from Arizona, told Huskies Wire at the NFL Combine in February of his pass blocking: "I'm paying (a quarterback) $100 million, you getting paid $2 million. Who more important?"
asked Washington RB Jonah Coleman about why pass protection is important for RBs: "I'm paying [a quarterback] $100 million, you getting paid $2 million. Who more important?" pic.twitter.com/r9tP9WfNeG
— alex katson 🇯🇵 (@alexkatson) February 27, 2026
A look into the rookie's mindset that has had the Broncos excited about Coleman playing a major role as Denver looks to make a repeat appearance in the AFC Championship Game and advance to a Super Bowl.
Starting running back JK Dobbins had 6 carries for just 23 yards and a short rushing touchdown, while second-year back RJ Harvey was held to 6 yards on 3 carries. Harvey did have a 52-yard touchdown catch-and-run on a screen pass in the third quarter as well.
Denver head coach Sean Payton is well known for taking a committee approach to the position, but Sunday's performance offered a glimpse of what could soon be for Coleman as the featured player in that rotation. After the game, Payton said Coleman has earned more touches, ending as the primary back to close out the win, the widest margin the Broncos have seen this season.
This article originally appeared on Huskies Wire: Jonah Coleman takes lead in Denver Broncos backfield in return
