Jaleel McLaughlin
#5 RB,
Broncos
ACTUAL 2022
- FPTS
RANK: -
2023 SEASON
- FPTS
RANK: -
AGE
22 yrs
HEIGHT/WEIGHT
5'7'' / 187 lbs
COLLEGE
Youngstown State
Non-factor against Bills
Published: 2025-01-14
McLaughlin rushed twice for minus-2 yards and secured his lone target for zero yards in Sunday's 31-7 wild-card loss to the Bills.
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 that could be added through free agency or the draft.
Weekly Stats 2022
Stats not availablePerformance Splits 2020 to 2022
Stats not availableCareer Stats
Stats not availableRemains leader of backfield
Published: 2025-01-05
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.
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.
Narrowly leads backfield in return
Published: 2024-12-28
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.
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.
Logs full practice Wednesday
Published: 2024-12-25
McLaughlin (quadricep) practiced fully Wednesday, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.
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.
Turns in limited practice
Published: 2024-12-24
McLaughlin (quadricep) was a limited practice participant Tuesday.
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.
Won't play Thursday
Published: 2024-12-18
McLaughlin (quadriceps) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Chargers.
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.
Deemed limited at practice Tuesday
Published: 2024-12-17
McLaughlin (quadriceps) was estimated as a limited participant in Tuesday's practice walkthrough.
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.
Estimated as DNP on Monday
Published: 2024-12-16
McLaughlin (quadriceps) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's estimated practice report, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.
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.
Exits Sunday's game
Published: 2024-12-15
McLaughlin left Sunday's game against the Colts after sustaining a quad injury, Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post reports.
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.