Denver Broncos Backfield a Revolving Door

Since the 2008 NFL season, eight different running backs (Andre Hall, Tatum Bell, Selvin Young, Michael Pittman, Peyton Hillis, LaMont Jordan, Correll Buckhalter, and Knowshon Moreno) have logged at least 25 carries for the Denver Broncos. Only two of the running backs (Buckhalter and Moreno) have topped 100 carries. In addition to the diversified backfield, key injuries have prevented Ryan Torain, Mike Bell, and LenDale White from having an impact in the Mile High City. Which leads me to my next point.

Are Denver running backs snake bitten?

Bronco fans sure feel that way after star running back and 2009 first round draft pick, Knowshon Moreno went down with a hamstring injury during practice on Friday. As a rookie last year, Moreno totted the rock 247 times for 947 yards and seven TDs. Moreno was off to a fast start this year, logging 182 total yards and two TDs in the team's first two contests.

Moreno's match-up this week is against an Indianapolis Colts defense that has allowed 188.5 rushing yards per game looked especially tantalizing. Moreno is expected, however, to miss at least two weeks of action. That revolving back door will continue to spin with two candidates ready to assume Moreno's workload.

Ten-year veteran running back Correll Buckhalter figures to get the start for the Broncos. Buckhalter has averaged only 2.0 yards per carry this season and one touchdown to his name. Buckhalter assumed 33% of Denver's workload last year and had two 100-yard games.

If Buckhalter continues to perform at a sub-par level, expect head coach Josh McDaniels to rely on an old friend. Last week, McDaniels acquired running back Laurence Maroney from a crowded New England Patriot backfield. Maroney has dealt with a plethora of injuries this season and saw only limited action during the pre-season. Maroney rumbled for 757 yards and nine TDs in 2009, but his fumbling problems firmly placed him inside of Bill Belichick's doghouse. Maroney was McDaniels' hand-picked first-round selection in 2006 so maybe a change in scenery will re-energize the former Minnesota Golden Gopher.

With the way injuries have plagued the Bronco backfield, current third-string running back, Andre Brown may see time. During the pre-season, the Broncos claimed Brown off of waivers from the New York Giants. The second-year pro has never taken a regular season snap.

Bronco fans never know what to expect from their backfield. Maybe Buckhalter will run for 200 yards tomorrow. Maybe Buckhalter will get injured on the first snap. In either case the Broncos' revolving running back door will continue to spin into the foreseeable future.

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