As the Denver Broncos took the field for Wednesday’s practice ahead of Sunday’s big-time AFC West showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs, J.K. Dobbins was not present, and they could be without him for Sunday’s game.
Dobbins did not participate and was not spotted on the practice field on Wednesday, which means Sean Payton will have to create a contingency plan for the offense and rushing attack if Dobbins is unable to go this week.
Enter RJ Harvey, Jaleel McLaughlin, and Tyler Badie. Those might be the three names we see get carries on Sunday, with Harvey likely being the primary option.
Payton mentioned that Harvey could see a little bit more run than we’ve seen from him so far this season.
“When we drafted him, it was his running skillset, and he had a lot of touches,” Payton said. “I was just kidding with him earlier. Then you have experience in a guy like [RB] Jaleel [McLaughlin], who is explosive and has been champing at the bit. I think sometimes players are not held back, but when you are watching [WR] Pat Bryant grow right in front of our eyes and you’re starting to see that with [RB] RJ [Harvey], and obviously he’ll have more opportunities here in this game. He’s built, when you see his frame, he’s built to last and that’s important.”
After being drafted in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Harvey seems like the most logical option as one of Sean Payton’s top picks. Harvey has shined in the ‘Joker’ role this season as a pass catcher out of the backfield and has broken a couple of big runs, but he hasn’t been heavily featured in Denver’s rushing attack yet.
Sunday’s game vs. the Chiefs might be our first look at Harvey getting 15+ touches on the ground, and it could be just what this offense needs to get going. Offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey told us on Wednesday that Harvey has picked things up offensively and has gotten better every week.
“Obviously, the talent that he has and the movement skills and the strength are really impressive,” McGlinchey said. “He’s a great worker. I think he’s in a room where a lot of the guys in there, like J.K., like Jaleel, show him how to do things right, and he’s gotten better and better every week. Lou’s done a great job in that room this year, we’ve improved the way that we run the ball, and it’s a testament to those guys.”
McLaughlin is another name to keep an eye on. He’s only appeared in one game this season and has been an inactive coach’s decision most of the season.
He could see more action on Sunday and has been eager to get on the field behind the scenes.
Regardless, the Broncos must find a way to run the football this week against a Chiefs defense that is pressure-heavy and that may open everything else up for Bo Nix and this offense.
