The Denver Broncos saw CJ Anderson injured last week and Gary Kubiak could start Ronnie Hillman in Week 4 for Peyton Manning if the running back cannot stay healthy on a consistent basis. Manning has been using his tight ends a lot and players like Owen Daniels and Virgil Green are solid sleeper picks alongside big names like Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas.
The Broncos are coming into Week 4 after a win against the Detroit Lions and now the team matches up with the Minnesota Vikings. Anderson dealt with another injury last week and he was forced to leave the game to get looked at for a concussion. Anderson was able to get back and he finished the game with just 18 yards on eight carries. Anderson came into the season as the starter after a breakout second half last year, but so far he has been a dud, going for just 74 yards on 32 carries in three games this season.
Kubiak commented on the injury issues and said to the Denver Post that the team has "to keep C.J. on the field" and that Hillman could get more work if Anderson cannot stay healthy. Anderson has dealt with toe and ankle injuries over the first few weeks on top of his potential concussion last week and while he was able to get back without suffering a concussion, Kubiak likely will take all of that into account in Week 4 preparations.
Hillman was not much better in the game last week, as he had just seven rushes for 13 yards, but he did add a touchdown for the Broncos. This season Hillman has 88 yards in three games and he comes in after rushing for 434 yards last season. Hillman could vulture some touchdowns moving forward and that could make him a better fantasy option over Anderson until he proves he can stay on the field.
The Broncos may try and get their tight ends more involved moving forward, as Peyton Manning looks like he is starting to get his rhythm back heading into Week 4. Manning had 324 yards passing and had two touchdowns, including one to Owen Daniels. Daniels had five catches on nine targets and he is on the depth chart ahead of Virgil Green. Green had a TD the previous week, but he only had one catch in Week 3 and is only an option in deeper leagues.
Heading into the Week 3 matchup, Kubiak said that Hillman and Anderson would split carries and now that could continue with Anderson getting banged up again. Kubiak said that Anderson would continue to get carries, but that Hillman has shown he deserves more action as well. ESPN Broncos reporter Jeff Legwold reports that Anderson will be more of the "early down" back for the Broncos and that Hillman could be used more on third downs and other situations. The injury issues also could be a major factor in who gets the majority of the carries moving forward.
