“Keep an eye on the ball. Keep an eye on the ball.”
That’s all Mike Bell was thinking Sunday as he was about to touch the ball for the first time in his NFL career. And when he was about to return a kickoff for the first time in his life.
“What a way to start, huh?” the Broncos’ undrafted rookie tailback said. “I just kept my head up, not wanting to mess up. And then I just went.”
Bell had returns of 21 and 19 yards in Denver’s 18-10 loss at St. Louis. He was replaced by David Kircus on returns after suffering a finger dislocation, but remained in the game as a running back. Unless he suffers a setback from his finger injury, Bell is expected to continue to return kicks in the Broncos’ home opener Sunday against Kansas City at Invesco Field at Mile High.
“He runs hard, and that’s what you want to see in a kick returner,” coach Mike Shanahan said.
While kick returner always is a position Denver is evaluating, Bell fits the bill at this point.
The Broncos toyed with using Bell as a kick returner during training camp. He is in a rotation at running back with veteran Tatum Bell.
Shanahan said Monday the two running backs will continue to rotate as they did against the Rams. Shanahan also said if one of the running backs gets hot, he will get extra series. Tatum Bell started against the Rams.
For Mike Bell, the chance to return kicks simply is a chance for more action.
“I love it,” he said. “Any way I can help the team will be good, and with Tatum getting a lot of reps, it gives me a chance to touch the ball more.”
Weekly workouts start
The Broncos began their Tuesday routine of working out players for their files in case of emergencies and for potential signings next year.
Working out were defensive linemen Darrell Campbell of Notre Dame, Alex Guerrero of Boise State, Brian Howard of Idaho, John Bradley of Arkansas State and Willie Evans of Mississippi State. Meanwhile, former Broncos Dwayne Carswell and Matt Mauck worked out for Detroit.
Footnotes
Chiefs quarterback Trent Green was released from a hospital Tuesday after suffering a concussion in his team’s season-opening loss to Cincinnati. Coach Herman Edwards said Green will miss Sunday’s game against the Broncos. Veteran backup Damon Huard will be the starter. … The Broncos and Seahawks each have a 10-game home winning streak in the regular season, which is tied for the best in the NFL. … Denver’s five turnovers in Week 1 equaled its most since November 2000 against Seattle. The Broncos won that game. … The Broncos were 28th in the NFL in red-zone defense last season. The Rams were 0-for-5 trying to score a touchdown inside Denver’s 20-yard line Sunday. … Mike Bell is one of five nominees for NFL rookie of the week. Bell had 58 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries against the Rams.
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
