Peyton Manning enjoys operating under a pick-your-poison type of offense with the Denver Broncos. With several top wide receivers on the roster, Manning always opts to pass before handing the ball off. However, over the past two seasons, the run game has played a much larger part in the offense than in years past as running backs like Knowshon Moreno still managed over 1,000 yards on the ground. Montee Ball was hoping to do that this season as a full-time starter, but an injury has derailed those plans.
Ball entered 2014 off a successful stint as a backup to Moreno in his rookie year and was thriving as the starter in 2014. However, the running back suffered a groin injury in Sunday's win that could keep him out for several weeks. According to the Denver Post, Ball is expected to miss a solid portion of the season after straining his groin. Prior to Week 5, Ball had 165 yards and a touchdown while helping Manning keep the offense balanced. Now, the loss of the running back puts a real strain on the ground game.
Last season, the Broncos were built well with depth. The team had Moreno who was healthy and then Ball and Ronnie Hillman to back him up. Now, the Broncos have just Hillman and Justin Thompson to work with. The duo combined for 79 yards and a touchdown on Sunday in place of Ball. Those types of numbers will not get the job done in the absence of the starter. Hillman is expected to be inserted at the top spot giving his familiarity and stints of success in Denver, but it remains to be seen if he will be able to produce as much as a starting running back would.
Having Manning under center helps release some tension with the loss of Ball. The quarterback can throw to anyone on the field. Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders have become a dynamic duo for the receiver position as Julius Thomas takes care of the middle of the field. Add Wes Welker into the mix and the Broncos should be just fine. Fantasy owners would be wise to pick up Hillman for the time being. If Manning is doing to hand the ball off, it will be to him.