Today’s question about the Broncos comes from Bruce in Longmont.
Q: After losing Knowshon Moreno and Willis McGahee to injuries Sunday at Kansas City, what will the Broncos do at tailback?
A: Moreno suffered a season-ending knee injury against the Chiefs. There’s not a lot the Broncos can do to replace him before they host the New York Jets on Thursday night.
McGahee left the Kansas City game in the first quarter because of a hamstring injury and didn’t return. Broncos coach John Fox said McGahee could have played “in an emergency.” How quickly he responds to treatment this week will determine McGahee’s availability for the game against the Jets. If he can’t play, Lance Ball will make the first start of his NFL career.
Ball’s career-high 96 yards on 30 carries helped the Broncos rush for 244 yards at Kansas City. Before this season, the Maryland product had only 241 yards rushing in 11 games in the NFL. But he showed against the Chiefs that he can keep Denver’s ground game moving. And he’s reliable, having lost only one fumble in 55 carries this season. He didn’t lose a fumble last season in 41 carries.
Moreno’s slot on the Broncos’ 53-man roster has been taken by tailback Jeremiah Johnson, who was signed off the practice squad.
“The upside with Jeremiah is he’s been with us,” Fox said. “He knows the nomenclature, he knows the teammates. He’s given our defense a real good look (in practices as a member of the scout team) and has been helpful in getting us better against the run.”
To inject speed into their running game, the Broncos will continue to give some carries to wide receiver Eddie Royal. He gained 19 yards on three carries against the Chiefs.
Jeff Legwold: 303-954-2359 or jlegwold@denverpost.com
