Update on Broncos rb/wr health (or lack thereof) (1 Viewer)

[Hipple Long Ware & Peete]

Broncos could be an uninsured motorist at tailback

By Jeff Legwold

The Denver Post

POSTED: 09/04/2010 01:00:00 AM MDT

Denver Broncos running back Correll Buckhalter (28) carries the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010 in Minneapolis. (Andy Blenkush, The Associated Press)

The Broncos have had difficulty securing an insurance policy for their backfield. That's why, when the Broncos scan the waiver wire this weekend, the guys with "RB" next to their names will get a long look.

Knowshon Moreno (hamstring) and Correll Buckhalter (neck and back) missed virtually all of training camp because of injuries. Buckhalter looked OK in limited playing time Thursday night during the Broncos' preseason finale at Minnesota, but Moreno still looks questionable for the regular-season opener Sept. 12 at Jacksonville.

When he runs, Moreno doesn't appear to have the explosiveness or the confidence to plant his leg and drive into a cut he's going to need to play against the Jaguars. That's why skill-position players in the NFL dread hamstring injuries, especially one as serious as Moreno's appears to have been.

The Broncos signed veteran running back Justin Fargas but discovered why so many teams didn't like what they saw in his surgically repaired knee when they worked him out. Fargas has already been cut by the Broncos, after gaining just 17 yards on 10 carries in the preseason.

The Broncos signed LenDale White, hoping he could be a power back near the goal line and bolster their depth in the backfield. They signed the Chatfield High School graduate and former USC star even though they knew he was going to miss the first four games of the season because of an NFL-ordered suspension.

White suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon injury Thursday in the Minnesota game. It's an injury that is difficult for any player to come back from, let alone a running back. Denver wide receiver Brandon Stokley has called his recovery from a similar injury one of the most difficult things he's ever had to do.

So the Broncos are left with Buckhalter still coming back from his injury, with Moreno having had no carries in preseason practices or games (except for the one training camp practice he took part in) and with some backs who have never been the primary ball carrier for an NFL team.

That's a troubling thought for a team that struggled in short-yardage situation for most of the 2009 season and failed on two short-yardage situations Thursday against the Vikings — including a fourth-and-goal play at the Vikings' 1-yard line, when the Broncos couldn't pound it in for a touchdown.

Look for a new face in the Broncos' backfield after the weekend. If that doesn't happen, it means the Broncos have decided to be an uninsured motorist, hoping for the best as they weave their way through the trouble spots.

Read more: Broncos could be an uninsured motorist at tailback - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_15986850#ixzz0ycAUxmcn

 

[Hipple Long Ware & Peete]

Knowshon, D-Thomas don’t look close

Posted August 29, 2010, 3:12 pm MT

By MIKE KLIS

I’m watching the Broncos work out their injured guys 3 hours prior to their preseason kickoff with the Steelers at Invesco Field at Mile High.

And from here, running back Knowshon Moreno and receiver Demaryius Thomas don’t look anywhere near close to returning. Both are running and cutting very gingerly.

Then again, left tackle Ryan Clady wasn’t moving all that well prior to preseason game 2 last week and he returned to practice a few days later on a limited basis.

Considering Moreno suffered his hamstring injury Aug. 1 _ four weeks ago today _ either he’s a slow healer or he received a least a partial tear. I’m betting on the latter.

Also Thomas is still favoring the left foot that has bothered him since he fractured it prior to the NFL scouting combine.

as a Moreno Owner this makes me queasy . At least I snagged Buckhalter as insurance.

 

[Hipple Long Ware & Peete]

I love that posts with actual meat in them just float to the bottom of the pool. BUt if this said Knowshon is the bomb and will drop 1600 this year, this thread would have 15 replies. so typical...

 

[moleculo]

I love that posts with actual meat in them just float to the bottom of the pool. BUt if this said Knowshon is the bomb and will drop 1600 this year, this thread would have 15 replies. so typical...

not sure what you want here. Moreno popped his hammy quite a while ago. Early reports were that it was a loud, audible pop. The Broncos said he'd be good after 3 weeks, but most people were skeptical, especially given how hammy injuries tend to linger. This isn't really news. I thin kwhat you are commenting on is that there is no news. I suppose some might find it interesting that someone isn't beating expectations, I don't.

 

[Chewbanks]

Wasn't there a report that he was "sprinting out of the players tunnel" at the last game?

 

[nysportsfan]

Neither or these guys are going to have the ability to light the world on fire until week 3, IMO.

I think Orton could help some Big Ben owners and Gaffney has a chance to be some early season trade bait after a couple good games.

Some value in the silver lining I think. Moreno has a chance to be very good in this league - but needs to get healthier. Was he injury prone in college?