Rookie running back Jonah Coleman powered through contact and scored his first career touchdown to help lift the Denver Broncos to a 20-13 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 20, 2026, at Empower Field at Mile High.
First Professional Touchdown Lifts Denver
Jonah Coleman broke open a tight contest in the second half by plowing into the end zone with 11 minutes and 47 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. The fourth-round draft pick out of Washington powered off the right side to cap off a drive that gave the Broncos a 20-13 advantage—marking the team’s first lead of the 2026 NFL season.
Following his score, the rookie celebrated by flashing a Mile High Salute to the home crowd. Speaking to reporters after the game, Coleman explained the significance of the gesture.
“You’ve got to pay respect to the guys that came before you,” Coleman said according to team coverage. “Terrell [Davis], he and I have the same marketing rep, so we’ve talked before, talked a couple times. He’s one of the best to ever do it. I just felt like I had to pay my dues and pay my respect. At the end of the day, you’re playing for something bigger than yourself.”
First TD for the rook! 📺: @NFLonCBS / @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/lwtGesjhr4
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) September 20, 2026
Securing the Win on the Final Drive
With the Broncos protecting a narrow lead late in the fourth quarter, Coleman helped put the game away on a crucial final possession. Denver regained possession with 4 minutes and 41 seconds left on the clock and leaned heavily on its rookie ball-carrier to drain the remaining time.
Quarterback Bo Nix orchestrated a key third-down conversion earlier in the series, connecting with wide receiver Jaylen Waddle for a 29-yard gain on third-and-3. From there, Coleman took over on the ground, carrying the ball four consecutive times.
On his final notable scamper of the drive, Coleman cut around the left end, secured a first down, and slid down deliberately inside the boundary. The heads-up slide kept the clock running and prevented defenders from wrestling him toward the sideline.
“He has to protect the football, stay in bounds, a lot of things are going through his head while he’s trying to run the ball well,” quarterback Bo Nix said. “He did that extremely well, very efficient and then obviously capped it off with the run down the sideline where he slid in bounds. That’s just really good for a young guy.”
Coach and Team Reaction
Coleman finished the final drive with six carries for 33 yards, culminating a productive afternoon where he totaled 39 rushing yards. Head coach Sean Payton praised the poise of his young running back when asked about the decisive late-game sequence.
“That certainly didn’t feel like a rookie series,” coach Sean Payton said.
Fans and analysts can follow the team’s official channels for further injury updates, roster reports, and weekly matchup previews.
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