Jaleel McLaughlin's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Denver Broncos rookie running back Jaleel McLaughlin (head) suffered a head injury early in the 27-14 Week 18 loss to the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday and never returned. The 23-year-old finished the final game of his rookie season with just four carries for six yards. He was not targeted at all in the passing game before his unfortunate early exit. McLaughlin's first NFL campaign ends on a sour note, but it shouldn't take anything away from what was an impressive year for the undrafted rookie out of Youngstown State. He impressed in training camp to make the roster and then surpassed Samaje Perine on the RB depth chart midway through the year. McLaughlin entered Week 18 with a 5.6 yard-per-carry average and three total touchdowns in 16 games. With both Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine heading into the final year of their deals in 2024, McLaughlin will most likely serve in a change-of-pace role yet again in Year 2.

Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin (head) won't return to Sunday's matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders. The 23-year-old was in line to see more work in Week 18. However, he never had a chance to get anything going, so he'll finish with four carries for six yards. McLaughlin had bouts of promise throughout the 2023-24 campaign. However, he'll end the year with three touchdowns. It's possible he could get more work next season. But as long as Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine are on the roster, it will be tough for the rookie to stay consistently involved.

Denver Broncos rookie running back Jaleel McLaughlin is expected to have a bigger workload in the Week 18 regular season finale against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday with the team already eliminated from the playoffs. Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine will likely still be involved, but it's quite possible that McLaughlin will lead Denver's backfield in touches this weekend. We wouldn't recommend the 23-year-old as anything more than an RB3/flex option in deep season-long leagues, but he could be worth a low-cost dart throw in DFS contests in a matchup against a Raiders run defense that has allowed the 10th-most half-PPR points per game to the position this season. In the last two games, McLaughlin has been much more effective than Williams on the ground, averaging 5.79 yards per carry on 14 attempts for 81 yards while also catching seven passes for 48 yards.

Denver Broncos rookie running back Jaleel McLaughlin is expected to have a continued increased workload heading into the final game of the season in Week 18 versus the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders. "He continues to earn additional touches," said head coach Sean Payton. McLaughlin started over the struggling Javonte Williams, who has 38 carries for only 92 yards in the last three games combined, in the Week 17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Williams out-carried McLaughlin 15 to eight on Sunday against the Bolts, but McLaughlin was more efficient and led the team in rushing with 44 yards, adding three catches for 18 yards on three targets. It's hard to recommend anyone in Denver's offense for fantasy lineups with the team playing out the string in another lost season, but McLaughlin could certainly act as the Broncos' "starting" RB for the final game this Sunday.