Former Dallas Cowboys running back Deuce Vaughn has continued to struggle since leaving Dallas, forced to settle for a practice squad deal. A chance the Denver Broncos handed the playmaker with little expectation of actually needing to utilize the undersized rusher. However, injuries have opened the door for Vaughn for the first time in the 2025 season, providing a potential path to returning to an NFL roster.
According to a report from Denver Gazette's Chris Tomasson, the Broncos aren't ruling out placing the injured J.K. Dobbins on IR. If this were to happen, it would seemingly open a roster spot for the Broncos to hand the former Cowboy. With that said, it is far from clear a path for potential reps when you look at the current list of backs on Denver's active roster who are likely to get a first crack at replacing Dobbins.
RJ Harvey, Tyler Badie, and Jaleel McLaughlin are all on the current roster and will be the trio of options that the Broncos turn to if Dobbins is forced to IR. There is still an uphill battle for Vaughn to find his way back into a lineup simply based on how underwhelming his career has been thus far.
Former Cowboys Running Back Deuce Vaughn Appears Poised for First 2025 Opportunity
The former Cowboy has a total of 110 rushing yards for an average of 2.8 yards per carry and zero touchdowns. Dallas needed Vaughn to be anything close to capable to justify continuing to develop him in a reserve role. Instead, the franchise quickly turned the page, realizing that Vaughn wouldn't provide the level of consistent production they needed.
All of this helps paint the picture of just how urgent the situation has become in Denver for Vaughn. If not for the injury to Dobbins, there is little chance that the back is relevant in the conversation already 10 weeks into the 2025 season. An injury was the only road for Vaughn to get a shot at rebuilding a bit of value, and it seems that this door is now open.
For Vaughn, it is very likely that if this does happen, it is the last opportunity he is going to get at the NFL level. If Vaughn's production doesn't change, or he doesn't have a big play or two, Denver cannot continue to justify employing a playmaker who has consistently underachieved when given a chance.