Sean Payton delivers potential season-altering news for Javonte Williams at Broncos’ rookie minicamp

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Drew Sanders’ pick six, Marvin Mims’ speed and Riley Moss’ size were all impressive during the Denver Broncos’ rookie minicamp on Saturday.

But none of those took the cake for the most important storyline coming out of rookie minicamp.

It had nothing to do with what happened on the field. In fact, the most encouraging and important news out of the Broncos over the weekend had nothing to do with anyone who was at the facility.

“Our current starter’s doing extremely well,” Sean Payton said, when talking about Javonte Williams knee after he tore his ACL and other ligaments during the 2022 season. “I would tell you that we expect him to be ready for the start of training camp and that’s good news.”

That’s not good news, Sean. That’s potentially season-altering news, not just for Javonte, but for the entire outlook of the Broncos. That’s fantastic news.

“His rehab is going well,” the head coach reiterated again. “I don’t want to speak for him or Beau [Lowery] or anyone else, but we get the daily reports. And look, we’re pretty tight-lipped relative to information going out, but I’ve read a lot and I think his rehab’s going well.”

In Week 4 in Las Vegas, Denver’s talented back suffered the devastating injury. Since Williams tore multiple ligaments in his knee, there was fear he would be out for part of the 2023 season, if not the entire year.

Not only does Payton believe the Broncos’ starting running back will be ready for Week 1 of the 2023 season, but that he’ll be ready for the start of training camp, just over two months away.

“I think there’s a good chance,” Payton said, when asked again if Williams will be ready for the start of camp, beginning at the end of July. “If a player’s not ready at the start of training camp, he goes to PUP [Physically Unable to Perform]. We’re hopeful that he’s someone that might not have to go to PUP. That’s good news.”

With an offense that wants to run the ball early and often under Payton, getting a healthy Williams back by the start of camp would be game-changing for the outlook of the team.