NFL: Broncos lose cornerback to injury ahead of AFC championship

The Denver Broncos will play Sunday's (next Monday, PHL time) AFC championship without starting cornerback Chris Harris, who was ruled out with a knee injury, according to a report on the NFL website.

Harris suffered a torn ACL in his right knee during Denver's 24-17 playoff win over the San Diego Chargers and will need surgery to repair it, the report said.

Thanks for the prayers , Gonna work extremely hard and come back a Monster next year . God is on my side. #broncosup

— Chris Harris (@ChrisHarrisJr) January 13, 2014

Blessed to be able to help the team get this Far , and will still do my part in meeting room to help my guys out.

— Chris Harris (@ChrisHarrisJr) January 13, 2014

"Blessed to be able to help the team get this Far, and will still do my part in meeting room to help my guys out," Harris wrote on his Twitter account.

The 24-year-old Harris, who has three interceptions for Denver this season, is a key man in the top-seeded Broncos' secondary that will be tested by New England quarterback Tom Brady and his receivers in Sunday's (next Monday, PHL time) game.

[Related: Manning, Broncos survive late Chargers rally try]

After Harris went out Sunday (Monday, PHL time) in the third quarter against the Chargers, San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers took advantage of his replacement, Quentin Jammer, during a late rally that fell short. - Reuters