There are signs that the Broncos could have an effective running game

The Denver Broncos may actually run the ball this season. Granted, it’s only preseason, but as Zach Bye, host of “The Drive,” says, “preseason doesn’t count, but it matters.”

The Broncos ran the ball 39 times for 162 yards and a touchdown scored by fullback Adam Prentice. As Phillip Lindsay puts it, that’s “getting the big uglies involved.”

Racking up 162 yards isn’t exactly lighting up the stat sheet, but the 39 rushing attempts stand out. More importantly, the Broncos set the tone of the game with the run, which set up play‑action.

R.J. Harvey took carries up the middle—not for explosive gains, but with noticeably better discipline. The fact that he didn’t immediately bounce outside shows growth. Zach Bye noted that “he didn’t look like Terrell Davis or anything, but given where he was a year ago in terms of running between the tackles, I was pleasantly surprised.”

If Harvey can consistently run between the tackles, it opens up a new layer of misdirection for the Broncos offense. Defenses would no longer be able to assume that if Harvey is on the field, it’s going to be a pass or an outside run. That alone could lead to more snaps for him.

Preseason really is a wonderful time. Everyone can all overreact and get excited about a man who had four carries in a game that doesn’t count. But Jonah Coleman put on a show for those four plays.

Lindsay called him the “main event” when breaking down his snaps, saying that “right off the bat he made it clear that he is running violently, and running downhill.” Coleman finished with just 24 yards on his four carries, but something felt different when he touched the ball. Lindsay added, “I was excited when Jonah Coleman got in the game, because it just brought a different energy.”

He then praised Coleman’s unusual patience for a rookie.

“He’s very patient, this is something that I was surprised about with Jonah Coleman,” Lindsay said.

These are the kinds of things good young players do to force themselves onto the field—even with an established starter like J.K. Dobbins. Lindsay believes Coleman “will be the one to keep J.K. healthy by taking some reps off of him early.” But if Dobbins isn’t careful, Coleman could take more than just a few reps.

The hope is that between the three backs — and, of course, the fullback — the Broncos will have a better, more complete running game and, therefore, a more-balanced offense this year. Or at the very least, they won’t lead the league in pass attempts again.

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