What happened: Denver placed running back R.J. Harvey on short-term injured reserve Saturday after he suffered a knee injury in practice. The designation sidelines Harvey for at least four games after Denver previously ruled out Harvey for Week 9. He is eligible to return as early as Dec. 6 against the Miami Dolphins.

Why it matters: The absence tests Denver's backfield depth during a crucial midseason stretch. Sitting at 5-2 in the AFC playoff field, Denver must maintain its offensive momentum without Harvey through November before their Week 14 meeting with Miami.

What to watch: Denver reconfigures its backfield rotation for the next four weeks, targeting Harvey's return for the Dec. 6 matchup against the Dolphins.