Broncos tailback RJ Harvey figures to play bigger role against Chiefs with J.K. Dobbins out

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — So far this season, Broncos rookie running back RJ Harvey has pretty much been making more of an impact with his pass catching than his ball carrying.

That could change Sunday when Harvey figures to play an even bigger role against the Kansas City Chiefs after the Broncos ruled out tailback J.K. Dobbins with a left foot injury. Also missing for Denver (8-2) will be AP defensive player of the year Pat Surtain II (strained pectoral) and leading tackler Alex Singleton, who is recovering from surgery to remove a cancerous testicular tumor. Outside linebacker Jonah Elliss (hamstring) and tight end Nate Adkins (knee) will be sidelined as well.

Harvey’s ready for his number to be called early and often.

“The game, I feel like, it slowed down a lot for me,” said Harvey, a second-round pick out of Central Florida. “When I first got here, things were moving quick, moving fast. I definitely feel more comfortable.”

Harvey has 50 carries for 214 yards and two scores this season. He also has caught 25 passes for 175 yards and four TDs.

“Definitely excited to showcase my running ability,” Harvey said. “Whatever coach wants me to do, I’m willing to do on the field and help my team the best way possible.”

Harvey's most productive game this season was against Dallas, when he had two rushing TDs and another on a reception. His high-carry contest was 14 (for 58 yards) in a win over Cincinnati. He plays around 30% of the offensive snaps, while Dobbins hovers just over 50%.

“He’s just a guy that’s growing right before our eyes,” Broncos offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said of Harvey. “If his workload increases, we’re going to see his production increase and be real excited about it.”

The Broncos enter the contest leading the AFC West as they try to dethrone the Chiefs (5-4), who've won nine straight division crowns. Broncos coach Sean Payton is hoping Empower Field at Mile High is extra loud for Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense. Maybe even to the point where Mahomes needs to cover the ear holes of his helmet with his hands to hear better.

“It means things are going pretty good,” Payton said of that scenario. “The crowd noise is super-important with pass rush on third down. It doesn’t just have to be third down. When they’re in the huddle, it would surprise you how hard it is."

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Denver Broncos running back RJ Harvey (12) catches a touchdown pass as Houston Texans' M.J. Stewart (29) defends in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jamal Adams (33) tackles Denver Broncos running back RJ Harvey (12) during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Brandt Clarke scored twice to help Los Angeles break out of an offensive funk, Darcy Kuemper made 23 saves and the Kings beat the Chicago Blackhawks 6-0 on Saturday night to split a two-game set.

Warren Foegele, Andrei Kuzmenko, Mikey Anderson and Alex Turcotte also scored after the Kings had been held to two goals or fewer in seven of their past nine games. The six goals are their most in regulation this season and they won by more than one goal for the first time since a 5-1 victory at Montreal on Nov. 11.

Spencer Knight made 26 saves for the Blackhawks. Chicago forward Teuvo Teravainen did not play after he was struck in the face by a puck in the final minute of a 2-1 victory over the Kings on Thursday night.

Goals of any sort had been hard to come by for the Kings over the past three weeks, but Foegele’s one-timer early in the second period led to an offensive eruption in the middle 20 minutes.

Kuzmenko then got Los Angeles’ first power-play goal in five games and only its third in the past 12 outings. They are 3-for-36 (8.3%) in that span.

Clarke finished off the breakthrough period by scoring through the screen of Corey Perry, who gave Knight no vantage point to see the wrist shot from the high slot.

Clarke got his second of the night early in the third period, followed by Anderson and Turcotte each netting their second goals of the season.

Blackhawks: At Anaheim on Sunday night.

Kings: At Utah on Monday night.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Chicago Blackhawks center Oliver Moore (11) shoots against Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)

Los Angeles Kings left wing Warren Foegele (37) is greeted by Los Angeles Kings left wing Trevor Moore (12) after scoring during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)

Los Angeles Kings left wing Andrei Kuzmenko (96) reacts after scoring during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Brandt Clarke (92) takes a shot and scores as Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) trails behind during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)