Broncos Lose Harvey and Hufanga Ahead of Chiefs Showdown

The Denver Broncos will play the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday without running back RJ Harvey and safety Talanoa Hufanga. The team also listed four foundational players as questionable for the AFC West matchup.

Harvey suffered a knee injury during Thursday practice. A source told The Post that the injury is not severe and should not keep him out long term. However, Denver has already ruled him out for the game against the Chiefs. It is unclear how much time he will miss. The team typically places players on injured reserve on Saturday, so Harvey would likely need a recovery period longer than five weeks to qualify for that list.

Hufanga is out for the third straight game due to an ankle injury. He first hurt his ankle on October 11 against the Los Angeles Chargers. He attended Friday practice for the first time since the injury but did not participate in drills.

The Broncos have four other starters listed as questionable. Defensive tackle Zach Allen has a hamstring issue. Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle is dealing with a chest injury. Left tackle Garett Bolles has a hip problem. Safety Brandon Jones has a hamstring issue. All four practiced in a limited capacity on Friday. Allen and Waddle were injured in the fourth quarter of last week's win at Arizona. Jones dropped out of Thursday practice.

With Harvey out and Tyler Badie already on injured reserve with a thumb injury, the Broncos will rely on rookie Jonah Coleman and veteran J.K. Dobbins in the backfield. The team is likely to promote Cody Schrader from the practice squad. They have also used fullback Adam Prentice as a pass protector this season.

Head coach Sean Payton said the coaching staff considers the length of the season and Dobbins' health when deciding weekly playing time. Payton noted that managing playing time is easier with two backs than three. He said Dobbins is doing well and that the team likes the depth in the room. He pointed to analytical data showing burst and speed as factors in their decisions.

Coleman said he is ready for any role the coaches assign him. He stated that he will give the team his all whenever he is on the field.

The Broncos will elevate veteran safety Taylor Rapp from the practice squad for the third time. He has filled in effectively the past two weeks while Hufanga has been out. Rapp may be promoted to the 53-man roster before Sunday.

The Kansas City Chiefs face their own defensive absences. Cornerback L'Jarius Sneed was ruled out with a knee injury. Rookie cornerback Mansoor Delane is questionable with a shoulder issue. He picked off Bo Nix in Week 1 but did not return due to the injury. He practiced on Wednesday but did not play in the last two sessions. Rookie edge rusher Mason Thomas is questionable due to a personal issue. He recorded a sack in the first matchup between these teams.

Rashee Rice, the Chiefs' top receiver, is cleared to play. He missed the past two games with hamstring and knee problems.