Broncos RB Montee Ball to have apendectomy

Jun 10, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back Montee Ball (28) warms up during mini camp at the Broncos practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Denver Broncos RB Montee Ball is going to have an appendectomy and will be out for the preseason. The team is hoping to have him back on the field for the first game of the season, but that status will be up in the air.

Ball is expected to be the starting running back this season with Knowshon Moreno’s departure in the offseason to Miami. Ball will not get to see the reps in preseason though and will not get much more action during training camp. It will take him some time to get back up to speed and this will open up an opportunity for the other backs on the roster.

This could be an opportunity for Ronnie Hillman to see more action and work his way into getting more reps in the regular season.

It is good that Ball was able to catch this early, otherwise it could have crept into the regular season and he may have missed some time. When Ball gets back, he will take the starting duties and still should get plenty of action.