The Denver Broncos starting running back is a bit of a mystery right now.
Yes, technically, it’s C.J. Anderson. The Pro Bowler had a big finish to 2014 and emerged from training camp as the clear No. 1 back.
But anyone who paid attention to Gary Kubiak throughout August quickly realized just how high he was on Ronnie Hillman. So high, in fact, both Hillman and Juwan Thompson jumped Montee Ball on the depth chart and made the former second round pick expendable.
And then this past Sunday the Broncos couldn’t get anything going on the ground until a breakthrough fourth quarter drive led by Hillman at running back. Neither Anderson (12 carries, 29 yards) nor Hillman (12 carries, 41 yards) had a good day, but Hillman was clearly better. Throw in the fact Anderson is battling a nasty toe injury and is officially listed as questionable for tomorrow night’s game and there’s a good bet Hillman gets the majority of the carries against the Chiefs.
But does that mean Hillman is the starter moving forward? Let’s see how it all sorts out in this week’s running back rankings.
No. 3 — Juwan Thompson
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Thompson rested to close the preseason, but that didn’t translate to any carries in Week 1 against Baltimore. With Anderson potentially out, or at least hurting, it’d be a shocker if Thompson is once again shut out of the box score against the Chiefs. Some people love Thompson — as he clearly runs hard — he needs to make plays when he gets his chance.
