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Montee Ball not expected to play

By Kevin Parvizi

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Denver Broncos running back Montee Ball was supposed to be the team’s feature back this season, and it seemed like he would be a breakout star here in his second season in the league. Unfortunately, Ball averaged an inefficient 3.1 yards per carry through the first five weeks of the regular season before suffering a significant groin injury in a win over the Arizona Cardinals. Ball has been out since, as the injury has been worse than expected. But the Broncos haven’t exactly needed Ball, who has been thoroughly Wally Pipped by former change-of-pace back Ronnie Hillman, who has been impressive in the Wisconsin product’s absence.

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    • Ball looked poised to return for this week’s easy game against the winless Oakland Raiders, but the Denver Post’s Mike Klis writes that it would be a “surprise” for Ball to play today. Although he was able to practice throughout the week and looks like a significantly improved player after losing some weight, it sounds like the Broncos would like to ease him back into things. It doesn’t get much easier than making a return against the Raiders defense, though they do have Khalil Mack in run defense, but they don’t need him at all today either.

    Per Klis, the Broncos like giving players coming off of injuries an extra weeks to practice and rest up, and I think that’s the best policy with Ball, who is officially listed as questionable on the injury report. He should be fully expected to play next week against the St. Louis Rams, and it will be interesting to see if he comes back with a vengeance.

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