Montee Ball Injury: Updates on Broncos Star's Groin and Return

Updates from Wednesday, Nov. 12 

Montee Ball was back on the Broncos practice field Wednesday reports ESPN's Jeff Legwold:

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Ball, who practiced on a limited basis last week and was then held out of the Broncos’ 41-17 win Sunday over the Oakland Raiders, took part fully in Wednesday’s practice and looks on track to be uniform for Sunday’s game against the St. Louis Rams. It was the first time Ball had participated fully in practice since he suffered a right groin injury Oct. 5 against the Arizona Cardinals. The Broncos practiced, as is their custom on Wednesdays, in full pads. 

(...)

For his part, Ball has said he is down to 212 pounds from the 224 pounds he weighed at the time of his injury and said he feels “faster, quicker to the hole. I think people will see a difference."

 

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Updates from Sunday, Nov. 9

Jeff Legwold of ESPN reported on Montee Ball's status for Sunday:

Updates from Friday, Nov. 7

Broncos.com columnist Andrew Mason has the latest on Ball's status:

Updates from Wednesday, Nov. 5

Chris Hall of Broncos TV provides an update on Montee Ball's injury:

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VIDEO: RB Montee Ball - in pads - returns to practice after missing four games http://t.co/t3iAwKRNqc pic.twitter.com/yGo14hZyM5

— Chris Hall (@BroncosTV) November 5, 2014"

Troy Renck of The Denver Post provides head coach John Fox's comments on Ball:

ESPN's Jeff Legwold has more from Ball:

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“He should [be the starter]. He definitely should," Ball said Wednesday. “The run game has been a lot better since he’s been in there. So … I’m not going to sit here and lie to myself. So when I come back, I’m going to contribute as much as possible and try to get that spot back.’’ 

Wednesday’s practice was the first time Ball had taken part in a team workout since the injury. He took part in the practice – the Broncos were in pads – on a limited basis and said he felt “great’’ following the workout. 

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Updates from Friday, Oct. 31

ESPN's Jeff Legwold has an update on Montee Ball's status for Sunday:

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That is key because Montee Ball (right groin) was formally ruled out of the game.

It will be the fourth game Ball has missed since suffering his injury Oct. 5 against the Arizona Cardinals. Ball worked with the Broncos’ strength and conditioning staff during practices this week, but did not participate in any of the team’s workouts.

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Updates from Wednesday, Oct. 29 

Ben Volin of The Boston Globe provides an update on Montee Ball's status: 

Updates from Thursday, Oct. 23

Montee Ball is officially inactive for Week 8, according to the Broncos' Twitter account:

Updates from Tuesday, Oct. 21

Jeff Legwold of ESPN has an update on Ball's status:

Updates from Sunday, Oct. 19

Montee Ball's status for Week 7 against the 49ers has been confirmed by the Broncos' Twitter account:

Updates from Friday, Oct. 10

ESPN's Jeff Legwold has the latest on Ball's status:

Updates from Monday, Oct. 6

Mike Klis of The Denver Post provided an update on Montee Ball's injured groin:

Ball later spoke about his injury with Klis and Jeff Legwold of ESPN:

Earlier, John Fox wouldn't clarify Ball's status on Monday, via Lindsay Jones of USA Today:

Original Text

Just when Montee Ball looked to be taking the next step from promising running back to every-down productive running back, the 23-year-old went down with a groin injury in the third quarter of the Broncos' Week 5 tilt against the Arizona Cardinals.

The team's Twitter account had the news:

After the 41-20 win, Vic Lombardi of CBS4 in Denver reported on Ball's status in the locker room: 

Mike Klis of The Denver Post reports on the initial diagnosis of the injury: "Broncos starting running back Montee Ball will undergo a magnetic imaging exam on his strained groin Monday morning. The initial belief is Ball will be 'out for a while,' according to an NFL source."

Heading into last year, Ball was one of the potential fantasy dark horses at running back. The Denver Broncos had to run the ball at some point, right?

Ball didn't have a terrible 2013 season, but he was firmly second on the depth chart behind Knowshon Moreno. The former Wisconsin star still managed to rush for 559 yards and four touchdowns.

Moreno's with the Miami Dolphins now, opening the door for Ball to take on a larger role in the Broncos offense. He averaged 4.7 yards per carry as a rookie, so with enough touches, eclipsing 1,000 yards was a realistic goal.

JACK DEMPSEY/Associated Press

This injury puts a major dent in those hopes, though. You have to account for lost time and the possibility that John Fox becomes enamored with another running back.

Ironically enough, Ball spoke in the preseason about how he essentially needs to become a stronger, more physical runner, per The Denver Post's Troy E. Renck: "I told the offensive line, 'I have to find a way to get that first down.' I got a half yard. I have to find a way to get that other half."

After this injury, Ball might think twice about maintaining that same kind of running style.

Denver should be just fine for as long as Ball is out, considering Peyton Manning is still leading a dynamic offense. Still, Ball's injury will have an impact on the Broncos' running game. Ronnie Hillman is the next man up on the depth chart.