The Denver Broncos are navigating a critical stretch of their season with a major question mark hanging over their backfield. JK Dobbins, who had been a dynamic force in the run game, went down with a significant foot injury a few weeks ago after a hip-drop tackle by Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson.
The play went unflagged, but the damage was done. While Dobbins remarkably finished that game, the injury is serious enough that his only real shot at returning this season would likely come if Denver makes a deep playoff run-potentially all the way to the Super Bowl.
That’s a massive “if,” and in the meantime, the Broncos have had to adapt. Without Dobbins in the lineup, Denver’s ground game has taken a clear step back.
The absence of left guard Ben Powers hasn’t helped matters either, as the offensive line has struggled to generate consistent push up front. The good news?
Powers is expected to return soon, and that could be a turning point-not just for the offense as a whole, but for one rookie in particular.
Enter RJ Harvey, the second-round pick out of UCF who’s starting to make a name for himself in Denver. Harvey’s not just filling in-he’s flashing real potential.
Through his early NFL action, he’s totaled eight touchdowns and 501 yards from scrimmage, averaging 4.8 yards per touch. While his 3.8 yards per carry suggest there’s room to grow as a pure runner, the versatility and burst are there.
With Dobbins sidelined and Harvey likely to see a heavier workload down the stretch, this is shaping up to be a defining stretch for the rookie. The Broncos need their run game to find its rhythm if they’re going to be a legitimate playoff threat, and Harvey has a chance to be the spark.
Getting Ben Powers back in the lineup could be a game-changer for Harvey. Powers is a physical presence in the run game, and his return should help stabilize the left side of the line, opening up cleaner lanes and giving Harvey more room to operate. If Harvey can take advantage of that and continue to grow into the role, Denver may find itself with a tough decision come the offseason.
Dobbins, when healthy, has been electric. He was on pace for his first 1,000-yard season before the injury, and his vision and burst remain elite when he’s on the field. But health has been the story of his career-he hasn’t played more than 15 games in a season since his rookie year, and availability continues to be a concern.
That’s where Harvey could make things interesting. If he closes the season strong, showing he can be a dependable RB1 in both the short and long term, it might make financial and strategic sense for the Broncos to let Dobbins walk in free agency after the 2025 campaign. It’s not an easy call-Dobbins is a fan favorite and a proven talent-but in today’s NFL, where rookie backs can often make an immediate impact, it’s a possibility Denver has to consider.
Of course, the opposite could happen. If Harvey struggles to find consistency or fails to take advantage of the opportunity, the Broncos may feel compelled to bring Dobbins back and give it another run with their original plan.
But right now, the ball is in RJ Harvey’s court. He’s got the talent, he’s got the opportunity, and with a healthier offensive line on the horizon, the stage is set. Whether he can seize the moment could shape the future of the Broncos’ backfield-and maybe even their postseason hopes.