Knowshon Moreno Injury: Oft-Injured RB Needs Reduced Role in Broncos Offense

Denver Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno is quickly becoming the poster boy for careers unfulfilled due to injuries. He hurt his hamstring in Monday's game against the Raiders and now there is serious doubt that he will be able to play in Week 2.

According to a report in the Denver Post, Moreno will undergo an MRI on Wednesday. His status for this week's game against Cincinnati will be determined when the team gets the results.

This is not the first time that Moreno has had problems with his hamstrings. He has battled various nagging injuries throughout his NFL career, but to his credit he has only missed three games in two seasons.

The Broncos are dependent upon him as their starting running back. He has the most potential of any running back on their roster, and with his absence for any length of time, more pressure is placed on quarterback Kyle Orton.

The best thing that the Broncos coaching staff can do is reduce Moreno's role in the offense. Instead of keeping him as the one featured back, they should have him split carries with backup Willis McGahee and Lance Bell to ease the burden on his body.

It has become clear over the course of Moreno's first two seasons in the NFL that he is not a physical player. He has to be coddled in order to stay healthy enough to remain on the field. That may not be anyone's favorite solution to the problem, but until there is a better one, it is the reality of the situation.

Moreno on the field for 15-18 carries every game is far better for the Broncos than not having him on the field at all.

The Broncos will have plenty of time to ultimately decide what role they want Moreno to play in this offense; with the way things sound right now, it would be a surprise if he played any time soon.

Moreno can be a good running back in the NFL—he has shown flashes of that in his first two seasons in the league—but with each passing game, it becomes more obvious that he will never be a feature back.

LIFE HURTS. THIS INJURY UPDATE BROUGHT TO YOU BY DICKIES.