RADIO
RJ Harvey Placed on Short-Term IR with Knee Injury
Denver Broncos running back RJ Harvey (knee) has been placed on short-term injured reserve with a knee injury, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. As a result, the second-year running back will not be eligible to return until December 6 to face the Miami Dolphins (Week 13). Harvey sustained the injury in practice this week but hopes to avoid an extended absence. While he has not been involved much on the ground (averaging just 4.0 attempts per game), he has been a top option in QB Bo Nix's passing attack. Through six games, Harvey has drawn 4.7 targets per game and averaged 36.2 receiving yards per game. While he remains on the shelf, managers should expect J.K. Dobbins to see a larger share of the early-down work, with rookie Jonah Coleman moving up to the No. 2 role in the backfield.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Denver Broncos D/ST Remains a Top-10 Play Against Chiefs
The Denver Broncos defense/special teams unit remains a starting option in 12-team leagues for Sunday's home game against the Kansas City Chiefs, ranking ninth at RotoBaller for Week 8. Denver has 21 sacks and seven interceptions this season and has held its last three opponents to 17, 14 and 16 points. Against Arizona, it allowed one touchdown on five red-zone trips and recorded three sacks with 13 quarterback hits. Kansas City managed three points and 213 net yards against Seattle last week, but it regains wide receiver Rashee Rice (hamstring/knee) and tackle Jaylon Moore (concussion). Both practiced fully Friday, with Rice upgrading from limited work, and carry no injury designation, improving the Chiefs' receiving options and protection compared with that loss. Denver counters with Pat Surtain II (ankle), who practiced fully all week and has no designation after missing three games. The Broncos still have concerns elsewhere: Zach Allen (hamstring), their sack leader with 4.5, is questionable after limited work Friday. Safety Brandon Jones (hamstring) is also questionable after a limited session, while Talanoa Hufanga (ankle) is out after missing all three practices.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Evan Engram's Limited Playing Time Keeps Him Outside Streaming Range
Denver Broncos tight end Evan Engram is outside the usual streaming options for Sunday's Week 8 home game against the Kansas City Chiefs because his playing time and target volume remain limited. Engram played 24 of 61 snaps against Arizona, a 39% share, while Adam Trautman played 37 and Nate Adkins also logged 24. Denver's tight ends combined for only four targets, just 13.8% of Bo Nix's 29 pass attempts, with Engram catching one pass for two yards. Denver is splitting both the playing time and a small number of tight-end targets, leaving Engram with little weekly receiving volume. RotoBaller ranks Engram TE30 this week. Kansas City allowed AJ Barner to catch four passes for 42 yards last week, but Engram has averaged fewer than two receptions per game this season, totaling 13 catches for 136 yards and one touchdown. RJ Harvey is out, while Jaylen Waddle (chest) is questionable after limited work Friday, leaving targets available elsewhere in Denver's offense. Engram is a speculative option in two-tight-end leagues, with too little established volume for a typical 12-team lineup.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Limited Targets Keep Courtland Sutton in WR4 Range
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton remains a WR4/flex option for Sunday's home matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, with limited targets and inefficient production making him difficult to trust. Sutton led Denver's wideouts with 43 of 61 offensive snaps against Arizona, a 70% share, but finished with three catches for 45 yards. He has only 33 targets through seven games, averaging 4.7 per outing, and has caught 16 of those passes for a 48.5% catch rate. He has 168 receiving yards and one touchdown, with Bo Nix averaging just 5.8 yards per pass attempt. RotoBaller ranks Sutton WR44 for Week 8. Jaylen Waddle (chest) is questionable after limited work Friday, which could increase Sutton's opportunities. His projected coverage matchup, Mansoor Delane (shoulder), is also questionable after missing Friday's practice. Kansas City allowed Jaxon Smith-Njigba nine catches for 150 yards last week, but Sutton's own volume remains the stronger reason for caution. A Waddle absence would improve Sutton's case in deeper leagues; with both receivers active, Denver's passing struggles make him a difficult start in standard 12-team lineups.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jaylen Waddle Is a Risky Flex After Limited Practice Week
Denver Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (chest) is questionable for Sunday's Week 8 home matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs after missing Wednesday's practice and remaining limited Thursday and Friday. Even if active, he belongs in the deeper-league flex range, with RotoBaller ranking him WR46 this week. Waddle leads Denver with 45 targets, 26 catches and 276 receiving yards, but half of that yardage came in his 138-yard Week 2 performance. He caught four of seven targets for 48 yards before leaving the Arizona game last week. Kansas City's secondary has its own concerns: Mansoor Delane (shoulder) missed Friday's practice and L'Jarius Sneed (knee) was limited, with both questionable. That could make the matchup less demanding, though Denver's passing efficiency remains a separate obstacle with Bo Nix averaging 5.8 yards per attempt. RJ Harvey, second on the team with 25 receptions, is out. Waddle has an opportunity to command a larger share of the passing game, but his limited practice week makes him difficult to trust over a healthy receiver with comparable volume.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Marvin Mims Jr. Remains a Deep-League Stash
Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. (ankle) has head coach Sean Payton calling for more offensive touches entering Sunday's Week 8 home matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. Mims caught both targets for a season-high 53 yards against Arizona, but played only 16 of 61 offensive snaps, a 26% share. One 47-yard reception supplied most of that production, highlighting his big-play ability without establishing a dependable workload. Mims practiced fully Thursday and Friday after being limited Wednesday and carries no injury designation. Jaylen Waddle (chest) remains questionable after limited work Friday, creating a possible opening for more snaps. Troy Franklin still played 28 snaps last week, so Mims is not the only receiver positioned to benefit if Waddle sits. Kansas City allowed Sam Darnold 257 yards on 28 attempts last week, but Denver's passing game averages just 5.8 yards per attempt. RotoBaller ranks Mims WR78 for Week 8. He belongs on deeper-league benches as a speculative stash, with only seven catches for 82 yards across five appearances despite Payton's stated plans.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
J.K. Dobbins Has Touchdown-Dependent Flex Value
Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins has a better chance of contributing against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8 with RJ Harvey ruled out, but Jonah Coleman's return complicates his fantasy value. Dobbins played only 14 offensive snaps against Arizona, fewer than both Coleman and Harvey, and finished with six carries for 23 yards. His one-yard touchdown supplied most of his fantasy production, while Coleman led the backs with 11 touches and 30 snaps. Dobbins has also struggled to turn his larger season workload into yardage, averaging 3.4 yards on 87 carries, with just eight receptions for 27 yards. His longest run of the season is 17 yards. Harvey's absence could expand Dobbins' assignment, although Coleman remains the preferred replacement after leading the rotation against Arizona. Kansas City allowed Emanuel Wilson 100 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries last week, but Denver's backs combined for just 18 rushing attempts against Arizona. Dobbins remains a deeper-league flex for managers willing to rely on rushing volume and short-yardage work, with less appeal in PPR formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jonah Coleman Is Denver's Preferred Week 8 Flex
Denver Broncos running back Jonah Coleman should have more opportunities against the visiting Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8 with RJ Harvey ruled out. Coleman already led Denver's backs in his return from injured reserve last week, playing 30 of 61 offensive snaps and producing 69 scrimmage yards on nine carries and two catches. That was a 49% snap share, compared with 26% for Harvey and 23% for J.K. Dobbins. Harvey's absence creates room for Coleman to stay on the field more often, including in a passing game where Harvey has caught 25 passes this season. Coleman's two catches against Arizona offer some receiving upside, but the main reason to favor him is his larger share of Denver's snaps. Kansas City allowed Emanuel Wilson to run for 100 yards and a touchdown last week, although he needed 24 carries. Coleman handled half of Denver's 18 running-back carries against Arizona and is the preferred Denver option for a flex spot. Dobbins scored from the one-yard line against Arizona, leaving Coleman with competition for goal-line carries even as the overall rotation narrows.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Bo Nix Remains a QB2 With Receiving Options Banged Up
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix faces the Kansas City Chiefs at home in Week 8 without RJ Harvey, while Jaylen Waddle (chest) is questionable after limited practices Thursday and Friday. Harvey's absence removes a back with 25 receptions, and left tackle Garett Bolles (hip) is also questionable after remaining limited Friday. Those concerns complicate an offense already averaging just 5.8 yards per pass attempt. Nix threw for 222 yards and one touchdown against Arizona last week, adding 73 rushing yards and a score, but a 62-yard touchdown run accounted for most of that ground production. He had only 37 rushing yards over his first six games, making it difficult to count on his legs to offset another modest passing line. Kansas City allowed Sam Darnold to average 9.2 yards per attempt last week, but Nix will be trying to exploit that opening with a depleted group of pass catchers. RotoBaller ranks Nix QB24 for Week 8. His seven passing touchdowns through seven games and 59.2% completion rate leave him better suited to Superflex lineups than as a streaming choice in one-quarterback leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
J.K. Dobbins Losing Volume in Three-Headed Backfield
Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins has been falling out of favor recently. Not only has his snap count dropped significantly, but his total volume is also trending in the wrong direction. Just last Sunday, in Week 7, Dobbins had just six rushing attempts for 23 rushing yards. He did somewhat salvage his fantasy performance with a rushing touchdown, but the low volume makes him an incredibly risky fantasy play going forward. In fact, he played just 23% of the snaps last week, taking a backseat to both RJ Harvey and Jonah Coleman. Denver's backfield dynamic could look different any given week, but for now, we would strongly avoid starting Dobbins on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. He had just 36 rushing yards in his last game against the Chiefs, and he was equally underwhelming in that game, too, despite Coleman not being quite as involved yet in the season opener.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Patrick Surtain II Cleared to Play Against Chiefs in Week 8
Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II (ankle) does not carry an injury designation into Week 8 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Surtain, who has been a full participant for three consecutive practices, has been cleared to play in Sunday's divisional battle. This is great news for Surtain and Broncos fans, as the star cornerback had missed the previous three weeks with an ankle issue. When Surtain is healthy, he is one of the best defensive players in football. Over his last two full seasons, he has five interceptions, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and 92 tackles. His return comes at a great time for the Broncos, as he'll give them an extra weapon on defense as they face off against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Back in Week 1 against Kansas City, Surtain played 69% of the snaps but had just three tackles and zero forced turnovers.
Source: Denver Broncos
Source: Denver Broncos
RJ Harvey's Knee Injury Not Believed to be Serious
Denver Broncos running back RJ Harvey's knee injury is not believed to be severe or hold him out long-term, a source told Sam Jane of The Denver Post. Harvey was ruled out of the team's game on Sunday against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8 after popping up on Thursday's injury report and failing to practice on Friday, but this is encouraging news for the second-year back. The 25-year-old needs to be removed from starting lineups this weekend against KC, but it seems possible that he could return as early as next weekend on the road against the Carolina Panthers. With the former second-rounder from Central Florida out in Week 8, rookie fourth-rounder Jonah Coleman and J.K. Dobbins will split backfield duties against the Chiefs. However, when Harvey returns, Coleman could have more of a stranglehold on backfield touches in Denver, which might make Harvey harder to trust as an RB3/flex in PPR formats. Harvey has only 24 carries this year for 87 yards and a touchdown on the ground, adding 25 catches for 217 yards and another score on 28 targets as a receiver through six games.
Source: The Denver Post - Sam Jane
Source: The Denver Post - Sam Jane
Jaylen Waddle Officially Questionable for Week 8
Denver Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (chest) is officially listed as questionable for Week 8 against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday after aggravating a chest injury in the team's Week 7 win over the Arizona Cardinals, according to DNVR Sports' Zac Stevens. Waddle did not practice on Wednesday before being limited in the final two practices of the week on Thursday and Friday. The 27-year-old should have a good chance to play this weekend, but fantasy managers could have a tough decision on their hands if he ends up being a game-time decision in the later window on Sunday in Denver. Waddle's injury gives his fantasy managers a good reason to bench him, though. He has been one of the bigger disappointments at the WR position in fantasy so far through seven weeks, catching 26 of his 45 targets for 276 yards and one touchdown. The majority of his production came in the Week 2 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, when he caught eight of 10 targets for 138 yards. Amidst his questionable tag, Waddle has become a hard-to-trust WR4/flex in fantasy lineups going into Week 8.
Source: DNVR Sports - Zac Stevens
Source: DNVR Sports - Zac Stevens
RJ Harvey Ruled Out for Week 8 Against Chiefs
Denver Broncos running back RJ Harvey (knee) was added to the Week 8 injury report on Thursday with a knee injury and has now been ruled out for Sunday's clash against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs after not practicing on Friday, according to Zac Stevens of DNVR Sports. It is a pretty big development for Denver's backfield, as J.K. Dobbins and rookie fourth-rounder Jonah Coleman will now be set up for bigger workloads as they share the backfield against a formidable Chiefs defense. Harvey's next chance to return will be in a Week 9 matchup on the road against the Carolina Panthers. If Coleman is still floating around your league's waiver wire, he should be considered a must-add with clear RB2 upside this weekend in a bigger role after head coach Sean Payton said the team will look to get the rookie more involved. The 25-year-old Harvey still has value in point-per-reception leagues -- he has 25 catches on 28 targets for 217 yards and one touchdown as a receiver -- but Coleman's return from Injured Reserve definitely puts a dent in Harvey's rest-of-season outlook in Denver's backfield.
Source: DNVR Sports - Zac Stevens
Source: DNVR Sports - Zac Stevens
RJ Harvey Added to Injury Report, Limited on Thursday
Denver Broncos running back RJ Harvey (knee) was added to the Week 8 injury report on Thursday and was listed as a limited participant in practice due to a knee injury, according to Zac Stevens of DNVR Sports. Harvey's status is worth keeping a close eye on heading into a big Week 8 divisional contest at home against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. The 25-year-old noticeably played a season-low 26% of the offensive snaps and had only five touches (three carries for six yards and two catches for 54 yards and a touchdown) in the Week 7 win over the Arizona Cardinals with rookie fourth-round RB Jonah Coleman returning from Injured Reserve. Head coach Sean Payton has made it clear that he wants to get Coleman more involved in this three-headed rushing attack that also includes J.K. Dobbins, so that is obviously bad news for Harvey's fantasy ceiling moving forward. If Harvey's knee injury is serious enough to keep him sidelined against the Chiefs, Coleman will essentially be a borderline must-start RB in his second game back from an ankle injury that he suffered in Week 2. Harvey has not done much as a runner in six games, averaging 3.6 yards per carry on 24 carries, but he has been a PPR flex with 25 catches on 28 targets for 217 yards and one touchdown through the air.
Source: DNVR Sports - Zac Stevens
Source: DNVR Sports - Zac Stevens
