The Broncos were down to their third-string running back in the first quarter against the Chiefs after both Willis McGahee and Knowshon Moreno went down. McGahee appeared to hurt himself when he ran up the legs of a Denver offensive lineman with 8:01 left in the first quarter Moreno left the game with 2:18 remaining in the quarter when he was tackled near the Broncos sideline after a 22-yard run. The Broncos, who have implemented a run-heavy scheme behind option-style quarterback Tim Tebow, were left to use wide receiver Eddie Royal out of the backfield along with third-string running back Lance Ball and fullback Spencer Larsen.