Denver Broncos promote Taylor Rapp; RJ Harvey to injured reserve
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos on Oct. 31, 2026, promoted safety Taylor Rapp from the practice squad to the active roster and placed running back RJ Harvey on injured reserve, the team announced Saturday. The team also elevated running back Cody Schrader and offensive lineman Gavin Ortega from the practice squad to the active roster for Sundays game. The moves come ahead of Denver’s Week 8 divisional matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Rapp, a 2019 second-round pick, has appeared in the Broncos’ last two games and played nearly 70 percent of the defensive snaps in that span. He has recorded eight tackles over those two appearances. The promotion moves him to the 53-man roster and provides added depth in the secondary while starter Talanoa Hufanga has been out of the lineup. Hufanga has been inactive the last two weeks and was ruled out for Week 8.
Harvey was added to the Broncos’ injury report on Thursday with a knee injury and was ruled out on Friday for Week 8 before the team placed him on injured reserve. In 2026 he has averaged 6.2 yards per touch and totaled 304 scrimmage yards with two touchdowns. By rule, Harvey must miss the next four games and would be eligible to return as early as Week 13 against the Miami Dolphins. The Broncos made corresponding roster moves tied to his placement on injured reserve.
Schrader and Ortega were elevated for Sunday’s game and could join the active roster for Week 8. Schrader, a Missouri product, appeared in two games for the Los Angeles Rams in 2024-25 and could make his regular-season debut for Denver. He carried 24 times for 74 yards and caught nine passes for 101 yards and a touchdown during the Broncos’ 2026 preseason. Ortega, an undrafted rookie offensive lineman, has yet to appear in a regular-season game and earned a spot on the practice squad after signing with the team following the draft.
The Broncos are slated to host the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday at 2:25 p.m. MT on CBS in Week 8. The team announced the roster moves on Oct. 31, 2026. The adjustments reflect Denver managing injuries in the backfield and secondary ahead of the divisional game.
NFL Sports Blog Take
Taylor Rapp’s promotion formalizes his recent role, as his near-majority snap counts and eight tackles in two games indicated increased involvement. Placing RJ Harvey on injured reserve removes a productive offensive option after he totaled 304 scrimmage yards and averaged 6.2 yards per touch in 2026. Cody Schrader’s preseason production and prior NFL appearances make him a logical candidate to absorb snaps, while Gavin Ortega provides depth on the offensive line. These moves show the Broncos adjusting their roster to address immediate absences while preserving flexibility for upcoming weeks.