The Denver Broncos will be without wide receiver and return specialist Marvin Mims Jr. for Sunday’s home opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, while running back RJ Harvey is officially questionable with a hamstring injury.
Denver’s final Week 2 injury report resolved one of the team’s biggest practice-week questions. Mims did not practice Thursday or Friday after also being listed as a non-participant on Wednesday’s estimated report, and the Broncos ruled him out. Harvey improved from a projected DNP Wednesday to limited work on both Thursday and Friday, leaving him with a chance to play.
Mims is officially out after missing the full week
FSN previously covered Mims and Harvey appearing as non-participants on Denver’s initial Week 2 report. Friday’s update is materially different because the Broncos have now assigned game statuses: Mims is out, while Harvey remains questionable.
Mims had been managing a foot issue and played only nine offensive snaps in Denver’s Week 1 loss to Kansas City. He also left that game briefly before returning. The Broncos’ final report makes clear that the problem will cost him Week 2, even though he finished Monday night believing he would be ready for the next game.
The absence affects two phases. Mims is part of Denver’s receiver rotation, but his larger immediate impact may come on special teams, where he has been one of the league’s most dangerous returners.
Denver has to replace Mims in the return game
The Broncos already adjusted their return plan in Week 1 while Mims was limited. Kris Abrams-Draine handled a punt-return opportunity, while Harvey and Jonah Coleman were used on kickoffs.
With Mims ruled out, Denver must decide whether to continue with those internal options or use a roster elevation to create another return possibility. The issue becomes more complicated because Harvey, one of the players who handled kickoffs against Kansas City, is not yet guaranteed to play.
That makes the final active roster on Sunday especially important. If Harvey is available, Denver can keep more of its existing return structure intact. If he is inactive, the Broncos would have to redistribute both backfield and special-teams work.
Harvey’s Friday status keeps the backfield unsettled
Harvey’s practice trend is more encouraging than Mims’ because he returned to limited work on consecutive days. Still, a questionable designation means Denver cannot assume its normal running-back rotation will be available.
Harvey carried three times for 18 yards and caught four passes for 23 yards in Week 1. He also returned four kickoffs, giving Denver value beyond traditional backup running-back snaps.
If Harvey cannot play, Jonah Coleman would be positioned for a larger offensive role behind J.K. Dobbins, while Tyler Badie could become more relevant to the game-day backfield. Denver would also need another plan for kickoff returns.
The Broncos need more from the offense in Week 2
Denver is trying to respond after a 31-10 loss at Kansas City in the opener. Mims’ absence does not automatically change the primary passing-game hierarchy, but it removes one player capable of creating field-position swings and explosive touches.
The Broncos still have healthy options at receiver. Troy Franklin, who was listed with a knee issue during the week, practiced fully and carries no game designation. That gives Denver more stability on offense even as Mims sits.
The larger challenge is avoiding a chain reaction in which one injury forces too many players into unfamiliar roles. If Harvey plays, the Broncos can keep the backfield and kick-return units closer to their intended structure. If he does not, the team will have to replace two multiphase contributors at once.
Jacksonville enters with a healthier report
The Jaguars came through the week in better shape. Several players appeared on Jacksonville’s practice report, but the group finished the week without the same level of game-status concern Denver is carrying with Mims and Harvey.
That does not decide the matchup, but it increases the value of Denver’s depth. Early-season injuries often become less about replacing a star one-for-one and more about whether the surrounding roster can absorb extra snaps without weakening multiple units.
For the Broncos, special teams may be the clearest example. Mims’ absence removes the preferred returner, and Harvey’s questionable status could remove one of the most obvious replacements.
What to watch before kickoff
Harvey is now the main availability question. If he is active, Denver will have more flexibility in both the backfield and return game. If he is inactive, the Broncos will need to dress and deploy additional depth to cover those roles.
The other question is how Denver redistributes Mims’ offensive snaps. Franklin is available, and the Broncos can also use personnel packages that lean more heavily on tight ends or running backs rather than trying to reproduce Mims’ role directly.
Friday’s final report gives Denver clarity on one player and uncertainty on another. Mims will not play. Harvey still might. The Broncos now have until Sunday to build a game-day plan that works in either scenario.
Sources
- Denver Broncos: Final Week 2 injury report vs. Jaguars (September 18, 2026)
- Denver Sports: Marvin Mims ruled out, RJ Harvey questionable (September 18, 2026)
- NFL.com: Friday Week 2 league injury roundup (September 18, 2026)