Broncos Suffer Key Losses for Matchup Against the Chiefs
The Denver Broncos are preparing for a crucial matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, but they will do so with significant absences. The team confirmed the absence of three key starting players for Sunday’s game. J.K. Dobbins, the team’s leading rusher, will not be available. Linebacker Alex Singleton, the team’s leading tackler, and Pat Surtain II, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, will also not participate. Singleton underwent surgery on Monday to remove a cancerous tumor from a testicle and could miss several weeks of play. Surtain will miss his third game due to a pectoral injury. Dobbins, who leads the Broncos in rushing yards with 772 and an average of 5.0 yards per carry, suffered a foot injury last week against the Raiders. Coach Sean Payton mentioned that the possibility of placing Dobbins on the injured reserve list had been discussed, but a decision had not yet been made. Dobbins is expected to miss several games. The absence of Dobbins gives rookie RJ Harvey, selected in the second round by Denver, the opportunity to assume the primary role in the running game. Harvey has accumulated 50 carries for 214 yards and 25 receptions in 10 games. He also has the team’s longest run this season, of 50 yards, against the Tennessee Titans in Week 1.The Broncos will have Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie in the running back rotation. Badie has participated in some special formations and in long yardage situations. McLaughlin, who surpassed 400 rushing yards in each of the last two seasons after joining the team as an undrafted rookie in 2023, has had one carry this season, in Week 6 against the New York Jets.I’m definitely excited to show my running ability… but I’ll do what the coach asks. It’ll be fun on Sunday.
RJ Harvey
The Broncos’ injury report for Sunday is more extensive than usual this season. Outside linebacker Jonah Elliss (hamstring), who is a pass-rush specialist for the defense, and tight end Nate Adkins (knee) have also been ruled out. However, there is good news on the injury front, as wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. has practiced all week and is ready to play against Kansas City after missing two games with a concussion.McLaughlin is ready. It would be difficult to play for two seasons and then be inactive. He’s one of those guys. He’s the first one in the building… He’ll walk through the [practice] script and then he’ll train and then he’ll be having breakfast when people are just arriving.
Sean Payton
