Denver Broncos running back R.J. Harvey is expected to miss at least four games after suffering a knee injury during Thursday’s practice. The second-year player has been placed on injured reserve, leaving the Broncos without one of their options in the backfield and as a receiver.
Harvey entered the NFL as a second-round selection in the 2025 draft after playing at Central Florida. He made an immediate contribution as a rookie, sharing carries with veteran running back J.K. Dobbins. Across 146 rushing attempts, Harvey gained 540 yards and scored seven touchdowns.
That production helped Denver reach the AFC Championship Game in his first season. The Broncos ultimately fell short against the New England Patriots, but Harvey’s rookie campaign established him as a useful part of the team’s offense.
This season, Harvey has primarily worked as a receiving back while continuing to split snaps with Dobbins. His role has given Denver another option for getting the ball to a running back in the passing game, as well as contributing to the team’s rotation on offense. His absence means the Broncos will need to manage without that receiving threat for at least the next four games.
## A setback for Denver’s offense
The injury arrives at a difficult time for a Denver team seeking consistency on offense. The Broncos are 5-2 and sit half a game out of first place, but their start has not erased questions about the unit’s performance. Quarterback Bo Nix has struggled, despite the team having Jaylen Waddle in town, and Harvey’s injury removes another player who can contribute as a pass-catching option.
A running back’s value is not limited to rushing attempts. Harvey’s work as a receiver has been part of his role this season, so Denver will have to adjust its plans while he is unavailable. The team will also be without his contributions in the backfield rotation alongside Dobbins.
The timing makes the loss especially notable because Denver is set to face the Kansas City Chiefs without Harvey. Kansas City is 5-1 and leads the AFC West. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs have one of the best records in the league, even as Mahomes has cooled off following a hot start.
Kansas City also has a strong running game, with Kenneth Walker playing well, and a defense performing like one of the league’s better units. That presents a challenging opponent for Denver as it tries to keep pace in the division and maintain its position in the standings.
## What Harvey’s absence means
With Harvey on injured reserve, Denver must find a way to cover his role until he is eligible to return. His mix of rushing production and receiving ability gives the Broncos a flexible backfield option, and his season-to-date responsibilities have focused particularly on catching passes.
The team will need to proceed without that option for at least four games. The injured-reserve designation establishes the minimum period he will miss, but it does not provide a specific return date beyond that window. His recovery and readiness will determine when he can rejoin the lineup.
Harvey’s injury is a significant setback for a Broncos offense that has already faced questions, especially with an important divisional matchup against Kansas City approaching. Denver will have to make adjustments without one of its receiving backs while continuing to compete in a close race near the top of the AFC West.
