After the rookie dominated the backfield touches last week, we assumed Audric Estime might be the Broncos new starting running back going forward.

Related players: Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin

But, back came Williams in Week 11. It has been a frustrating year for Williams' owners. Williams led the way in carries with nine and rushed for 59 yards and also added a touchdown this past week after all signs pointed to Estime keeping the role he had in Week 10. In Week 10, Williams ran just one time for one yard against the Chiefs while Estime carried 15 times for 53 yards. Estime did carry six times for 16 yards and added three catches for nine yards this past week. The reporter suggested this may be a "hot hand" approach going forward, which doesn't do fantasy owners any good. It's tough to tell when to safely put Williams in lineups, because his low weeks have been pretty low. We'll continue to monitor in hopes for any signs from the team as to how they may handle this situation going forward.

Audric Estime will "continue to get more reps," per Sean Payton.

Related players: Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin

Payton was encouraged with Estime's play against the Chiefs, the post added, and he was the clear lead back. Williams had just one carry while adding two catches and McLaughlin had two rushes for 12 yards. Estime can be added in any format at this point if he's still on your wire. Payton has continued to say positive things about Estime for a few weeks now, including last week when he said he'd see an increased workload.

Broncos coach Sean Payton said he expects to use RB Audric Estime more down the stretch.

Related players: Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin

After his big performance a couple of weeks ago, Williams hasn't really been able to produce consistent results. Now the Broncos are saying Estime could see more work. It seems like the Broncos are looking for hot hand at RB, it's just that no one is really stepping up. It looked like Williams was going to be that guy but he struggled in Week 9 with 42 yards on 12 carries. Williams did get 42 yards on two catches as well. Estime will still be a risky fantasy play until we see more consistent work, however.

Broncos are placing rookie RB Audric Estime on injured reserve due to an ankle injury; Estime now will miss a minimum of four weeks.

Related Players: Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin, Blake Watson

Just a few short weeks ago, this backfield looked like a mess, but now it's down to Williams and McLaughlin, which makes it much more palatable. Estime can safely be dropped anywhere he may have been stashed away.

The Broncos are expected to move on from respected 8-year veteran RB Samaje Perine, sources say.

Related players: Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime

The team is engaged in a number of trade conversations around Perine and it could be a trade, rather than a release, the story went on to say. Williams is expected to be the team's RB1 but McLaughlin has flashed enough in the past that the Broncos seem pretty comfortable with him in a key RB role behind Williams. Factor in the team drafted Estime and the running back room was pretty crowded in Denver.

RB Javonte Williams practiced full (quad).

Related players: Jaleel McLaughlin, Samaje Perine

With Williams out last week, McLaughlin became a popular pickup as he and Perine essentially split the workload. McLaughlin has looked impressive, but it seems like Williams will be back in the fold for Week 6. Williams may be more of a flex option at this point and part of a three-headed monster at RB. While Williams is still the back to own here, the Broncos don't really have a reason to give Williams a huge workload.

On Monday, coach Sean Payton was asked whether Javonte Williams will miss “extended time,” and whether Jaleel McLaughlin’s role will expand.

“Let’s talk about Jaleel,” Payton told reporters. “He played really well. He’s one of the guys that got a game ball this morning. He was explosive in the run and the pass. He gave us some juice, so we’ll continue to look at his role. Javonte — we won’t mention or comment on until the week progresses. [That’s] typical for us, relative to injuries.”

We reported Sunday that Williams had a hip flexor and wouldn't miss much time. As the story said, the Broncos aren't obligated to disclose injury information beyond the confines of the weekly injury reports. Even if Williams can’t go, the Broncos are likely pleased with what they saw from McLaughlin, a running back found by Payton and G.M. George Paton beyond the seven rounds of the 2023 draft, the story said. He may be worth picking up even without knowing Williams' status for Week 5. It will be a tough home matchup against a good Jets defense in Week 5.