Denver head coach Sean Payton hinted that both J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey could return from hamstring setbacks for Sunday’s showdown with the Los Angeles Rams. The running back trio, including rookie Jonah Coleman, will determine the Broncos’ ground attack as the team seeks to build on its Week 2 win.
Denver’s backfield is at a crossroads heading into Sunday night’s game against the Los Angeles Rams. Both J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey are dealing with hamstring issues that limited their Week 2 outings, but head coach Sean Payton suggested there is a chance they will be cleared to play. Payton said, “I think all three of those players we’re discussing can be a bell cow and handle a majority of the carries,” indicating that the Broncos could field a three‑man rotation if the injuries improve (According to the Denver Post).
Running back depth under scrutiny
Harvey missed the entire Week 2 contest after a hamstring strain in Week 1 against Kansas City, yet he participated in limited practice on Thursday and Friday, showing signs of being “far off from playing” against Jacksonville. Dobbins, who started the win over the Jaguars, limped off in the second half with a “little hamstring” issue and expressed frustration after the game. Both players are expected to be evaluated during the final practice before the Rams matchup.
Rookie Jonah Coleman provided a “terrific closing punch” in the fourth quarter of the Broncos’ 20‑13 victory, sparking a debate over the future rotation. When all three backs were healthy in Week 1, Coleman took a back seat to Dobbins and Harvey, but his late‑game heroics have added a new variable for Payton. The coach framed the situation as a “good problem to have,” emphasizing the depth the Broncos now possess at running back.
Payton also disclosed his own lingering back discomfort, noting an L4/L5 vertebrae issue that flares when he stands for extended periods. He has managed the pain with an epidural and does not anticipate surgery this season, suggesting the coach will be on the sidelines but still active in game‑day decisions. The Broncos will aim to leverage their refreshed backfield against the Rams, hoping the trio can sustain the momentum built in their opening win.