The Denver Broncos will be without RJ Harvey for at least four games after placing the running back on injured reserve Saturday with a knee injury.
Denver announced the move one day after ruling Harvey out against the Kansas City Chiefs. He had appeared on Thursday’s injury report before being ruled out Friday, and his earliest opportunity to return is the Week 13 matchup against the Miami Dolphins.
The decision leaves Jonah Coleman and J.K. Dobbins to handle more of the backfield work. Denver also elevated Cody Schrader from the practice squad for Sunday’s game.
Harvey’s absence comes as the Broncos are being linked to Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, giving Denver both an immediate lineup question and a potential trade decision.
Jonah Coleman already had a larger role before Harvey’s injury
Coleman’s opportunity was growing before Saturday’s transaction.
The rookie played 28 offensive snaps against the Arizona Cardinals last week, compared with 26 combined for Dobbins and Harvey. Coleman rushed for 54 yards on nine carries in his first game back from injured reserve following a high ankle sprain.
Dobbins gained 23 yards on six carries, while Harvey finished with 6 yards on three rushing attempts. Harvey still supplied an explosive play through the air, scoring on a 52-yard reception.
That distribution gives Denver a recent example of Coleman handling substantial work. It does not establish that every opportunity vacated by Harvey will go to the rookie, particularly with Dobbins still part of the rotation.
“I’m ready for any opportunity I’m given,” Coleman said Friday. “Whenever I’m out there on the field, I’m going to give the team my all.”
Harvey has produced 304 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns this season, averaging 6.2 yards per touch, according to the Broncos. Replacing him therefore involves more than reallocating rushing attempts.
For Sean Payton, who reclaimed Denver’s play-calling duties earlier this month, the challenge is choosing which remaining backs can handle the different assignments Harvey leaves behind.
Broncos are among teams linked to Jonathan Taylor
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Saturday that Indianapolis is willing to trade Taylor and has been speaking with multiple teams.
Denver is among the clubs that have expressed interest, along with the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants and Seattle Seahawks.
Harvey’s move to IR makes that reporting more relevant to Denver’s immediate needs, but it does not establish that the Broncos have increased an offer or moved closer to a deal.
The interest and the injury are confirmed developments; a completed trade is not. Indianapolis has already traded Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner ahead of the Nov. 10 deadline.
Taylor would represent a different level of commitment from adding a temporary replacement: he signed a two-year, $44 million extension in August and is under contract through 2028.
Denver still has to prepare its existing backfield for Kansas City while those discussions play out.
Denver adds Cody Schrader for Sunday’s game
Schrader’s elevation gives the Broncos another option behind Coleman and Dobbins. He recorded 74 rushing yards on 24 carries and added nine catches for 101 yards and a touchdown during Denver’s preseason, according to the team.
The Broncos filled Harvey’s spot on the 53-man roster by promoting safety Taylor Rapp. They also elevated offensive lineman Gavin Ortega for the Chiefs game.
Sunday will offer the first look at how Denver distributes the workload without Harvey. The IR designation ensures that whatever arrangement Payton chooses must be viable beyond a single matchup.
