With receiver Eddie Royal and linebacker Spencer Larsen out and cornerback Ty Law a game-time decision, the Broncos need to get contributions from players who haven’t seen much time this season.

Royal has started all season at receiver, albeit with very disappointing numbers. Jabar Gaffney becomes the second receiver, and Brandon Stokley will get more playing time as the third option. Despite barely playing more of the year, Stokley has 284 yards and three touchdowns. Royal has 345 yards and no touchdowns.

Kenny McKinley has been limited to special teams all season and Brandon Lloyd hasn’t even been active for a game yet, but one of them will be the fourth receiver Sunday. McDaniels said he didn’t want to overload McKinley because he hasn’t played much, but liked what he saw from McKinley in the preseason.

“Brandon Lloyd will certainly have an opportunity to make an impact, also,” Broncos coach Josh McDaniels said. “We’ll see how it unfolds.”

The Broncos will also have to replace Royal on punt and kickoff returns as well. McKinley is an option – he replaced Royal during last week’s game – as is Alphonso Smith. McDaniels put out the possibility of someone else surprisingly taking a returner’s role against Philadelphia.

Special-teams will be important Sunday, and losing Larsen won’t help. Larsen is perhaps Denver’s best player in coverage, and Philadelphia’s DeSean Jackson leads the NFL in punt-return yardage.

“He’s a touchdown waiting to happen,” McDaniels said.

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