Within the Broncos’ locker room, in the words of wideout Courtland Sutton, players call their 24-year-old rookie running back the ATH.
“I’m sure in y’all’s profession,” Sutton hinted to reporters Wednesday, “y’all can put together what that means.”
ATH. Athlete. Used commonly by recruiting services to define players who don’t profile specifically as a quarterback, running back, receiver or cornerback. They are typically lightning-quick balls of raw clay, able to be molded and stretched to any role that fits a system.
The Vikings’ blazing wide receiver Jordan Addison was labeled an Athlete. So was Bills wideout Khalil Shakir. So was current Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga.
For 10 weeks, RJ Harvey has spent his rookie season in Denver playing ATH more than he has traditional running back.
The Broncos drafted him in the second round out of UCF for his ability to run the ball, head coach Sean Payton has said multiple times. But a tandem-carry system with veteran J.K. Dobbins has yet to materialize amid a career year for Dobbins. Harvey has spent his rookie year learning a different skillset of wheel routes and backfield choice routes, and lining up as a wideout on more than a fifth of his offensive snaps.
In the biggest game of his young NFL career this weekend, though, Harvey will return to his roots. Dobbins has a foot injury and is doubtful to play against the Chiefs on Sunday. And the Broncos may need Harvey to handle heavy touches on the ground again, just as he did for years back in Florida.
“The more carries he gets,” quarterback Bo Nix said Wednesday, “probably the better he’ll be.”
After a grueling stretch of six games and six wins in 32 days (with a trip to London included), the Broncos enter Chiefs Week more banged up than at any point since camp opened. They’re evaluating whether to place Dobbins on injured reserve, Payton confirmed Wednesday. They’ll play without green-dot linebacker Alex Singleton, who is awaiting pathology from surgery to remove a testicular tumor.
Defensive player of the year Pat Surtain II still isn’t practicing. Starting left guard Ben Powers still isn’t practicing. Key specialist Trent Sherfield (toe) and Karene Reid (hamstring) are hobbled. Denver has patchworked some moves in their stead: signing ol’ reliable Lil’Jordan Humphrey off the Giants’ practice squad, elevating linebacker Garett Wallow off IR, and handing the keys to Harvey and third-year vet Jaleel McLaughlin in the backfield.
It’s far from ideal for a key AFC West matchup against Kansas City. But the Chiefs have been the barometer in all aspects for Denver, and will be again. Head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes have adapted to changing personnel, injuries and suspensions, and have won the division nine years running.
Sean Payton and the Broncos locker room want to show they can do the same.
“There’s a reason this team has won for a long period of time,” Payton said. “And it’s talent, it’s coaching, it’s a program, it’s a GM, it’s ownership. And that’s where we’re aspiring to go.”
Adaptation starts with Harvey, who’s thrived as a receiver (25 catches, four touchdowns), but has only received more than 10 carries once this year — a Week 4 blowout of the Bengals. Vision was one of Harvey’s defining traits in college, but the rookie has frequently looked to bounce carries to outside holes that aren’t there. He’s averaging just 3.5 yards on runs outside the tackles this year despite breakaway speed.
Harvey has been efficient, though, when maneuvering inside in 2025. He was efficient in college, leading the Big 12 in yards per carry (6.8) his senior season. And Payton all but assured Harvey would get his touches against the Chiefs.
“Obviously, he’ll have more opportunities here in this game,” Payton said. “So, yeah, he’s built — when you see his frame, he’s built to last. And that’s important.”
Payton also hinted McLaughlin “has been chomping at the bit.” Sunday represents a chance at vindication for the backup, who was a key part of the Broncos’ running game in 2024 but has been activated only once this season.
Vance Joseph’s chess pieces on defense, meanwhile, will only slide back into roles they’re already accustomed to. Cornerback Riley Moss and company will have the task of slowing down Chiefs standout Rashee Rice in Surtain’s stead. Linebacker Justin Strnad spent the better part of the season filling in for the injured Dre Greenlaw, and will now likely fill in for Singleton at middle linebacker.
“The story and everything and the person that he is, I think everybody’s going to be inspired for him,” Strnad said of Singleton on Monday. “And we’re all just going to put our best foot forward, and go out and get a victory this week against Kansas City.”
There are no excuses for a team sitting at 8-2. Particularly for a team trying to reach the heights they’ve said they want to reach. Particularly against the Chiefs.
Harvey, trying to run in the shoes of the fifth-leading rusher in the NFL, will lead a widespread charge.
“The thing that’s scary is, I feel like he’s barely scratching the surface of his potential, what he can do in the league,” Sutton said of Harvey. “I think guys are just seeing a little bit of what he’s capable of. And he’s dangerous, man.”
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