Denver Broncos: Players who can step up big time vs. Chiefs

The Denver Broncos have some injuries limiting key players against the Chiefs. Which players have a golden opportunity to step up?

The Denver Broncos need some players to step up and fill big roles on Sunday afternoon against the Kansas City Chiefs.

With some key players not playing due to injury, who will get a chance to prove they are capable of helping the Broncos win their biggest game of the season? Let’s take a look.

Phillip Lindsay, RB

Injured player: Royce Freeman

Starting running back Royce Freeman will not play against the Kansas City Chiefs due to an ankle injury he suffered against the Arizona Cardinals.

That injury paved the way for the most work of the season so far for undrafted rookie Phillip Lindsay, who took advantage and made some great plays including an unbelievable touchdown run.

Lindsay has been a steady player for the Broncos all season long, but they are going to rely on him to carry the load against the best team in the division and arguably the best team in the NFL overall. Last time out against the Chiefs, Lindsay carried the ball 12 times for 69 yards and a touchdown.

He wasn’t as involved in that game as much as a receiver as Bill Musgrave would like, so against the Chiefs, the Broncos must be more intentional about getting him 20-25 touches.

Lindsay can handle it.

By virtue of Lindsay needing to step up, another player who must step up is Devontae Booker, who has sort of been the Broncos’ passing game specialist this season at running back.

While the team needs to be giving more opportunities to catch the ball to Lindsay, Booker is effective in pass protection and is good catching passes out of the backfield when called upon.

Going up against one of the worst run defenses in the NFL, this game is also going to be an opportunity for Booker to prove that he can be relied on when needed as a runner, too.