ENGLEWOOD – After the Broncos placed running back J.K. Dobbins on injured reserve Nov. 15, a source said he could return this season if they advanced deep in the playoffs.

Apparently, they are not yet deep enough.

The Broncos on Friday ruled Dobbins out for Sunday’s AFC Championship Game against New England at Empower Field at Mile High. There remains hope he could return to action if Denver advances to Super Bowl LX on Feb. 8 in Santa Clara, Calif.

Dobbins, who suffered ligament damage in his left foot Nov. 6 and had surgery, was designated for return last Monday from injured reserve. Dobbins, who led Denver in rushing in 2025 with 772 yards in just 10 games, returned to practice and was limited Wednesday, Thursday and Friday before being ruled out.

Among wide receivers, the Broncos listed as questionable for Sunday’s game Troy Franklin (hamstring) but Pat Bryant (concussion) had no injury designation. Franklin was lost in the second quarter of last Saturday’s 33-30 overtime win over Bufalo in a divisional playoff game and was limited all week in practice. Bryant was lost in the first quarter of that game with the second concussion he had suffered in a month and was limited in practice Wednesday before being a full participant Thursday and Friday.

“His last one, they felt really good right away,’’ Payton said of Bryant, whose suffered a “whiplash” concussion Dec. 21 against Jacksonville and sat out Dec. 25 at Kansas City. “We check the helmet. We upgrade the helmet, if that’s necessary, but he was asymptomatic the very next day.”

Bryant wore a guardian cap in practice during the week. It remains to be seen if he will become the first Broncos player to wear one in a game.

Due to Franklin’s injury, a source said the Broncos are strongly considering elevating Elijah Moore on Saturday from the practice squad as a potential replacement for his speed. Moore ran the 40-yard dash in 4.35 seconds at the 2021 scouting combine.

Also listed as questionable were center Luke Wattenberg (shoulder), center Alex Forsyth (ankle) and JL Skinner (quad). After being out for three games and four weeks with his left shoulder injury, Wattenberg was designated for return from injured reserve Wednesday and was a full participant all week in practice.

Wattenberg is in line to return to the lineup Sunday after Forsyth was the starter the past three games. Forsyth suffered an ankle injury late in regulation against the Bills and was replaced for the remainder of the game by Sam Mustipher.

“I’m excited to have Luke back in the lineup at practice this week and I think we’ll be ready to go,’’ said guard Quinn Meinerz.

Wattenberg is expected to be activated Saturday and quarterback Bo Nix placed on injured reserve. Nix suffered a broken right ankle against the Bills, ending his season, and will be replaced against the Patriots by Jarrett Stidham.

Nix was officially ruled out Friday. The Broncos also announced that tight end Lucas Krull and linebacker Drew Sanders, who both have been designated for return from injured reserve after having foot surgeries, won’t be activated to face New England.

The Patriots listed as out linebacker Harold Landry, who led them in the regular season with 8.5 sacks. They listed as questionable running backs TreVeyon Henderson (shoulder) and Terrell Jennings (passed concussion protocol), defensive lineman Joshua Farmer (hamstring), wide receiver Mack Hollins (abdomen), and linebacker Marte Mapu (hip).

Playing for Nix?

Speaking on Wednesday, Stidham said the Broncos want to “make (Nix) proud this Sunday” with a win.

He’s not alone with that thinking.

“Or course, we wouldn’t be here without Bo,’’ tight end Evan Engram said of looking to win one for Nix. “Yeah, that’s definitely in all hearts for sure.”

Other players offered varying views of that theme.

“We got to win this for us and that has everything to do with Bo,’’ said guard Ben Powers. “He helped us get there, so definitely.”

Guard Quinn Meinerz said he’s “seeing a lot of people” talk about the Broncos wanting to win for Nix.

“It’s an entire team, it’s an entire staff, and I know Bo would say that as well,’’ Meinerz said. “That’s our trying to win this game. I think everyone understands what this game means. I wish we could have Bo out there, but we all feel extremely confident we’re going to rally around Stiddy.”