Royal, Larsen ruled out of Sunday's game

ENGLEWOOD -- The Denver Broncos will go into a key game on Sunday shorthanded.

Broncos coach Josh McDaniels said receiver Eddie Royal (head/neck) and linebacker Spencer Larsen (hamstring) will not play at Philadelphia. Cornerback Ty Law (hamstring) will be a game-time decision.

The special teams will be affected by the injuries. Larsen is one of the team’s best special-teams players, and McDaniels called Eagles punt returner DeSean Jackson the best in the NFL. Royal is Denver’s punt returner, and McDaniels hinted that the Broncos could use someone other than Kenny McKinley or Alphonso Smith, the two obvious backups, to return punts.

“There could be somebody else back there too,” McDaniels said.

At receiver, McKinley or Brandon Lloyd, who has been inactive all season, could get the call as the fourth receiver.

The Broncos are in the playoffs with two more wins, but one more win muddles the playoff picture. As such, McDaniels promised to use any tricks he has in his bag to win.

“There will be no bullet we leave in the chamber,” McDaniels said. “We’ve got to win. If we want to make sure we have an opportunity to play, we have to win. Anything we feel like we have to do to do that, that’s what we’re going to do.”