ENGLEWOOD — Days before a very big game against the Chiefs, the Broncos have a very big injury list.

Denver had six players miss practice Wednesday, including star running back J.K. Dobbins, in line to be out Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High due to a left foot injury.

The Denver Gazette reported Tuesday the Broncos are considering placing Dobbins on injured reserve. Head coach Sean Payton said after Wednesday’s workout at Broncos Park that “nothing has been decided yet” on whether to shelve Dobbins, fifth in the NFL in rushing with 772 yards.

Also out were star cornerback Pat Sturtain (pectoral), inside linebacker Alex Singleton (illness), outside linebacker Jonah Elliss (hamstring), tight end Nate Adkins (knee) and wide receiver Trent Sherfield (toe). Singleton already has been ruled out for Sunday after undergoing surgery Friday for testicular cancer, and it’s uncertain if any of the players out Wednesday will be able to play against the nine-time defending AFC West champions.

“It’s our league,’’ Payton said of the injuries. “We’ve played teams earlier in the season that have been in this position. … It has to be the next man up.”

Dobbins was hurt in the third quarter of last Thursday’s 10-7 win over Las Vegas but did return to carry six times late in the fourth quarter. He claimed on social media the injury came on an illegal hip-drop tackle by Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson, but no penalty was called. The Broncos are continuing to evaluate the injury, with Payton saying “at some point there’ll be more clarity with” Dobbins.

Rookie running back RJ Harvey is expected to carry a heavier load against the Chiefs (5-4). Harvey, a second-round pick, has 50 carries for 214 yards for the Broncos (8-2). He has had only one game with more than seven carries, that being 14 in a lopsided 28-3 win over Cincinnati on Sept. 29.

“When we drafted him, it was his running skill set, and he had a lot of touches,’’ Payton said. “Then you have experience in a guy like Jaleel (McLaughlin), who is explosive and has been champing at the bit (to play). … Obviously, (Harvey will) have more opportunities here in this game. When you see his frame, he’s built to last and that’s important.”

The Broncos are expected Sunday to have Tyler Badie and McLaughlin as the other running backs along with Harvey. McLaughlin, despite rushing for 906 yards the past two seasons with Denver, was inactive for nine of the first 10 games.

It has not been expected that Surtain, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, would play against the Chiefs. But Kris Abrams-Draine has been a capable replacement since Surtain was hurt Oct. 26 against Dallas.

A more realistic option is Surtain returning Nov. 30 at Washington. The Broncos have a bye after facing the Chiefs in a game in which they will try to widen their lead in the AFC West.

Adkins, also hurt against the Cowboys, could be in a similar situation as Surtain. It might be difficult for Elliss to be available against the Chiefs after being hurt against the Raiders.

It is uncertain how long Sherfield will be sidelined, but the Broncos plucked Lil’Jordan Humphrey off the New York Giants’ practice squad Wednesday as an expected replacement. Humphrey returns after playing with Denver from 2023-24. And wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr., a full participant in Wednesday’s practice, will be back Sunday after missing two games with a concussion.

The Broncos made two other moves Wednesday related to their injury situation. With Singleton out and rookie inside linebacker Karene Reid having been placed on injured reserve Tuesday with a hamstring injury, they designated Garret Wallow for return from injured reserve. Wallow, who missed the past four games with a hamstring injury, could return to face the Chiefs.

And with Elliss hurt, Denver re-signed to the practice squad outside linebacker Garrett Nelson after he was released from the squad two weeks ago.

“For us, it’s next man up,’’ quarterback Bo Nix said of all the injuries. “Hopefully you get guys back as soon as possible.”

The Chiefs, coming off a bye, are very healthy. All players on their 53-man roster were full participants in practice Wednesday except running back Isiah Pacheco (knee), who was out, and defensive end George Karlaftis (thumb), who was limited.

“It’s not a matter of if, it’s when people get hurt in the NFL,’’ said Broncos tackle Mike McGlinchey “And it’s going to be tested at some point and that’s why everybody stays ready to play. I’m fully, fully confident that whoever steps into the injured spots are going to do a great job.”

Singleton will be replaced by Justin Strnad, a capable replacement earlier this season when Dre Greenlaw missed the first six games with a quad injury and then the game against the Cowboys due to an NFL suspension.

Singleton learned Nov. 3 of his testicular cancer and played against the Raiders three days later before his surgery. Payton called it “strictly his decision” to play and said he had “discussed that with his doctors.’’
“That is just who he is,’’ Payton said.

Payton, speaking for the first time about Singleton’s cancer, said the “news has been real positive” about his recovery. Singleton was optimistic about his recovery when he spoke to the media Monday and the team has said he “could return to play in the coming weeks pending additional test results.”

“There was a meeting (vice president of player health and performance) Beau (Lowery) had with (general manager) George (Paton), myself, Alex, his wife (Sam),’’ Payton said of before the surgery. “They went through everything and at that very moment, there’s more certainty or clarity now. But at that moment, it puts kind of everything in perspective relative to our players’ health, our health. … He’s obviously one of the important leaders of our team. He wanted to talk to the team first, and he did that (Monday). He has our full support.”

Broncos receiver Courtland Sutton expressed relief Wednesday that Singleton “was able to find (the cancer) early.” He called him a “strong-minded individual” who is “truly inspirational.”

Sutton downplayed the importance of Sunday’s game, saying, “It’s our next opponent, and it just happens to be the Chiefs.” But he didn’t downplay anything when asked about Harvey.

“We call that boy the ‘ATH’ (for athlete),’’ Sutton said. “He’s a very special dude. The dude can do a little bit of everything (as a runner and receiver). … The thing that’s scary is that I feel like he’s barely scratching the surface of his potential of what he can do in the league.”

The Broncos on Sunday will look for Harvey and others to step up in the hope of overcoming their injuries.