The Denver Broncos are sitting pretty at 10-2 heading into Week 14, with a firm grip on the AFC West and a real shot at locking up the No. 1 seed in the conference. But they’ll be pushing for those goals without one of their key offensive weapons - running back J.K. Dobbins, who’s sidelined with a foot injury that’s expected to keep him out for a while.
Enter RJ Harvey.
The rookie out of UCF has been thrust into the spotlight, and while the sample size is still small, the early returns are promising. Head coach Sean Payton isn’t just optimistic - he’s bullish on what’s to come. “You haven’t seen anything yet,” Payton said this week, making it clear that Harvey’s role is about to expand in a big way.
With Dobbins out, Harvey has taken over as the lead back in Denver. Tyler Badie and Jaleel McLaughlin are still in the mix, but make no mistake - this is Harvey’s backfield now.
His first start as the featured runner came against the Kansas City Chiefs, and it was a bit of a learning curve. Harvey finished with 11 carries for 30 yards and added three catches for 20 more - not eye-popping numbers, but a decent showing against a tough defense.
The following week, though, Harvey started to show why the Broncos are so high on him. In an overtime win over the Washington Commanders, he punched in two rushing touchdowns despite only gaining 35 yards on 12 carries. He also added three receptions for 27 yards, flashing the dual-threat ability that made him such an intriguing draft pick.
Through two weeks as the starter, Harvey’s stat line is beginning to take shape. On the season, he’s carried the ball 74 times for 279 yards and four touchdowns.
As a receiver, he’s added 31 catches for 222 yards and another four scores. That’s eight total touchdowns from a second-round rookie who’s just now getting a full workload.
What makes Harvey stand out isn’t just his ability to run between the tackles or bounce it outside - it’s how seamlessly he integrates into the passing game. He’s a modern back, the kind of player who can stay on the field for all three downs and keep defenses guessing.
And now, with Dobbins out of the picture, Harvey’s getting the opportunity to show what he can do with a full plate. Payton’s comments aren’t just coach-speak - they’re a signal that the Broncos are ready to lean into Harvey’s skill set as they make their playoff push.
There’s a lot on the line this Sunday against the Raiders. The division, the top seed, and potentially a first-round bye are all in play.
But there’s also something else to watch: the continued emergence of RJ Harvey. If Payton’s right - and he usually is when it comes to offensive talent - Harvey’s breakout might just be getting started.