The Broncos are heading into Sunday’s matchup with Jacksonville already short-handed in the backfield, and RJ Harvey won’t be available to help them fix a rushing attack that never got going against Kansas City.
Harvey is not expected to play because of a hamstring injury, according to a report from Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk that cited material from Adam Schefter of ESPN. He sat out Wednesday’s practice and was limited later in the week, leaving Denver to move forward without the rookie running back.
That’s a hit for Harvey after a quiet Monday night against the Chiefs, when he logged just three carries for 18 yards and added four receptions for 23 yards. It also puts a pause on the momentum he built in training camp, when he made noise about pushing his way into the lead role.
For now, that job belongs to J.K. Dobbins, though Denver didn’t get much from him either against Kansas City.
The Broncos were out of sync across the board in that game, struggling to generate anything on the ground or through the air. Even the defense had issues, with poor tackling helping Kenneth Walker III run wild for the Chiefs.
Dobbins has been vocal about staying healthy and putting together a big season, and coach Sean Payton described him in camp as a “force multiplier.” But none of that showed up in the opener, and Denver will be looking for a far cleaner performance when it faces Jacksonville.
That won’t come easily. The Jaguars beat the Broncos 38-20 last season, and Trevor Lawrence turned in a strong outing against Denver in that game. If the Broncos want to avoid an 0-2 start and keep pace in the AFC West, they need a much better showing on Sunday.
New play caller Davis Webb will also be under the microscope after Denver leaned on the pass early and barely committed to the run against Kansas City. The Broncos want to change that approach against the Jaguars, but Harvey won’t be there to help make it happen.
In Other News...
NFL Punished A Chiefs Starter For What Happened Late Vs Broncos
A late-game penalty against the Chiefs against the Broncos carried a little extra bite this week, with Kansas City guard Trey Smith fined $6,750 for a chop block in the fourth quarter of that matchup. The league announced the discipline the day before the Chiefs were set to face the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday Night Football, another reminder that even routine-looking infractions can draw attention once the NFL reviews them.
For Denver, it is another small footnote in a game that already featured its share of physical moments at the line of scrimmage. The fine fits the leagues broader effort to reinforce player conduct standards, but the timing also keeps the Broncos' latest meeting with their AFC West rivals in the conversation a little longer. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Land In Another Chiefs Flashpoint After Mahomes Hit
A brief NFL review of Nik Bonittos hit on Patrick Mahomes has landed Denver back in one of the leagues most closely watched rivalries, but not with the kind of punishment the Chiefs might have hoped for. The Broncos edge rusher got to Mahomes after a short throw in Kansas City, with the contact appearing to come around the quarterbacks head and neck, yet the league ruled it legal and did not issue a roughing-the-passer penalty or fine.
The game itself still produced its share of discipline, with Chiefs guard Trey Smith and Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton each fined for separate infractions. For Denver, though, the Bonitto ruling keeps alive another familiar Chiefs flashpoint, the kind of moment that tends to linger long after a matchup the Chiefs ultimately won. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Win Helps But Bo Nix Still Leaves A Bigger Concern
The Broncos got the kind of early-season result they needed in Week 2, beating the Jaguars and moving back to .500, but the win did not exactly erase the questions that followed them off the field. There were useful contributions around the roster, and the defense did enough to tilt the game Denvers way, yet the overall performance still had the uneven feel of a team trying to settle its identity on the fly.
What lingers is the offense, where execution was spotty, penalties kept piling up at bad moments and the coaching choices did not always make life easier. Bo Nixs issues against zone coverage remain the bigger concern for Denver, because even with the standings in better shape, the Broncos know their margin for error will tighten fast if the passing game keeps running into the same problems. [Read more 🡒]