Ronnie Hillman, Montee Ball Post-Preseason Week 1 Fantasy Advice

Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson departed Friday's preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks with an ankle injury, according to the Denver Post's Troy Renck, and that freed up some extra carries for backups Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman. 

Here's a look at how Ball and Hillman fared in their preseason debuts: 

Player	Carries	Rush Yards	Rush TD	Rec.	Rec. Yards	Rec. TD
Montee Ball	8	26	---	1	7	---
Ronnie Hillman	8	66	---	1	11	---

Head coach Gary Kubiak's zone-blocking scheme sprung Hillman for some big runs, including a 23-yard gain. And while his 8.2 yard-per-carry average was undeniably impressive, it shouldn't be considered a sign of things to come.

Ball rotated in for Anderson first after the Broncos' lead back went down, and Hillman operated as the team's third-stringer.  

The system will undoubtedly benefit all three backs, as ESPN's Louis Riddick noted, but Anderson remains the runner to own in Denver's backfield. 

"I can tell you this, I believe in the (bell cow)," Kubiak told reporters on Aug. 5, per Renck. "And I believe it's up to the player to prove he can do that. Do you need two guys in a season? You are darn right, in this league. But I think if a guy goes out there and he shows he can play three downs, can protect the quarterback, and can handle it, then he should stay out there."

Despite getting dinged up Thursday, Anderson is still a clear-cut RB1. He needed just 179 carries to pile up 849 rushing yards and eight touchdowns last year, and a full season's worth of work as the Broncos' primary option out of the backfield could boost him into elite fantasy territory.

Ball and Hillman are nice complements, but they're nothing more than high-upside handcuffs at this point.