The Denver Broncos are going to need to be effective in running the ball in the postseason. That was a concern the moment J.K. Dobbins went down with what is believed to be a season-ending injury, regardless of the team's record or how many games it has won in a row.
But RJ Harvey is starting to quell those fears. Harvey, a rookie, is inexperienced and that is always a concern when the stakes get high. But on Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders, he helped pace the offense by rushing for 75 yards and a touchdown. He also caught six passes.
Harvey was given 17 carries and no other player had more than four, showing that Sean Payton has plenty of confidence in the rookie, which is abnormal for him and how he usually operates.
But Harvey does not look like an inexperienced rookie. He sees the holes well, fights for extra yardage and can stand up in pass protection. Many analysts felt that it was a strange pick for the Broncos to take him in the second round, but that pick is paying off for the Broncos and his development is the reason why the Broncos have not added to their running back room.
What an effort, RJ Harvey!Pic.twitter.com/5J3EKIzisX
— Romi Bean (@Romi_Bean) December 7, 2025
It was tough for the team when Dobbins went down and the Broncos would love to have him back. But Harvey is proving that he can handle the load and that he is the future of the Broncos' backfield.
The team could arguably add another veteran running back to help spell Harvey and be an option in short-yardage situations, but that ship has likely sailed as Payton seems content with the running backs he has on the roster. When the playoffs start, Broncos fans can feel content in Harvey, who is coming off age at the best possible time.
READ: Broncos in driver's seat for AFC's No. 1 seed after Week 14 win
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