Bronco Backfield: Rookie steps up as Chiefs loom

The Denver Broncos enter Sunday's matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs with a depleted running back corps. RJ Harvey, who carries a knee injury, will not play. That leaves rookie Jonah Coleman and veteran J.K. Dobbins as the only two backs on the 53-man roster. A third option, practice squad member Cody Schrader, may be elevated to fill the vacancy.

Coleman is poised to take on a larger share of the workload. Last week, he played half of the snaps at running back in his return from an ankle injury. He carried the ball nine times for 54 yards, averaging six yards per carry. He also caught two passes for 15 yards.

The Chiefs present a defensive challenge. They are tied for the best record in the National Football League and lead the AFC West. Their defense has allowed only two teams to rush for more than 100 yards this season. Coleman described the upcoming game as a test of his readiness. He said it would feel good to compete against the No. 1 team in the division, which is the position the Broncos want to hold.

Coleman has dealt with injuries since joining the league. He missed four games on injured reserve after hurting his ankle against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He noted that he had only missed one game in his career before that, sitting out a college contest due to a lower-body injury. He credited the Broncos' training staff and coaches for keeping him engaged during his absence. He also noted that family support helped him push through rehabilitation.

The dynamic in the backfield includes a mentorship angle. Dobbins, 27, stated that reducing his role and increasing Coleman's playing time is a plan to keep both players healthy through the postseason. He called Coleman his rookie and said he coaches the younger players to help them succeed. Coleman agreed, describing the room as a three-headed monster where everyone wants to see each other win.