For the third time this season, the Broncos are placing a running back on injured reserve.
This time, it’s RJ Harvey who will be headed to the shelf for at least the next four games after suffering a knee injury. NFL Network was first to report the move.
Harvey landed on the injury report Thursday after not being listed Wednesday due a knee injury, then did not practice at all Friday. The Broncos ruled him out for Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday’s injury report.
He will be eligible to return to action Dec. 6 against the Miami Dolphins. The Broncos play the Chiefs, Carolina Panthers, Las Vegas Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers in the four games Harvey is guaranteed to miss.
The second-year running back ranked second on the team in yards from scrimmage and receptions so far this season, punctuating his work with a 52-yard catch-and-run on a screen pass from Bo Nix for a touchdown in last Sunday’s 30-16 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
Harvey has been more of a pass-catcher than a ball-carrier so far this season, amassing more receptions (25) than carries (24) as the No. 2 back behind starter J.K. Dobbins. His per-carry average is down slightly from his rookie campaign — from 3.7 to 3.6 — but on the strength of his explosive touchdown catch last week, he’s improved his per-catch average by 1.1 yards to 8.7 on the season.
He trails only Waddle in receptions and receiving yardage so far this season.
BRONCOS DOWN TO TWO HEALTHY RUNNING BACKS ON THE 53-PLAYER ROSTER
With Harvey and Tyler Badie both on injured reserve, the Broncos are left with rookie Jonah Coleman and veteran J.K. Dobbins on the primary roster. Cody Schrader is on the practice squad and will receive an elevation to the 53-player roster for Sunday’s game so the Broncos have their standard trio at the position.
Schrader was on the 53-player roster for 11-days last season, but otherwise has been on the Broncos’ practice squad during this year’s regular season and last year’s playoffs. He signed a futures contract immediately after the 2025 season concluded.
Coleman was on injured reserve from Weeks 3-6 due to a high-ankle sprain, but returned against the Cardinals and picked up 54 yards on nine carries — including 49 on seven second-half attempts as the Broncos closed out their fifth win of the season.
