Not only did the Denver Broncos lose the game yesterday, but they also lost their starting running back, Javonte Williams, to an ACL tear. Denver announced that the 22-year-old is set to miss the remainder of the season. It’s a big blow to their offense, which has already struggled, averaging just 16.5 points per game under first-year coach Nathaniel Hackett.

While they do have two-time Pro Bowl running back Melvin Gordon on hand, who still receives a fair amount of touches, at 29 years old, he’s no longer a big threat to break open the game. Sure, Gordon is naturally set to step back into the starting role, but it wouldn’t shock anyone to see the Broncos make a roster move to add another option in the backfield. Here are three potential one-year replacements for Javonte Williams.

Mike Boone finally gets a shot in Denver

Aside from Melvin Gordon, the most obvious option to pick up some of the available touches is third-string running back Mike Boone. He originally signed with Denver over the 2021 offseason, which is the same year Javonte Williams was selected in the second round. Obviously Boone didn’t know the team would select a new future starter just a month after he signed his contract, but that’s life sometimes. Initially, it appeared Boone would be joining the team as a handcuff to Gordon, but he’s spent the past two years as the third running back on the Denver depth chart instead.

But Boone has flashed an ability to break tackles while displaying some burst in the past, namely during his Minnesota Vikings tenure, when the fifth-year pro went off for 148 yards on 17 attempts against the Chicago Bears in 2019. It’s his best effort to date by far, but to be fair, the Broncos haven’t given him any chances, as Boone’s career high in touches since joining Denver sits at six, which came this past week. He may not be the most exciting option out there, but the Broncos would be wise to see what they have with the player already on their roster before trying to swing a trade.