5 running backs the Denver Broncos could get to replace Javonte Williams

Denver Broncos option no. 2: Phillip Lindsay (currently on Colts practice squad)

How about a reunion?

Back in 2018, Phillip Lindsay became one of the NFL’s breakout stars as an undrafted free agent. He became the first undrafted rookie running back to be selected to Pro Bowl in NFL history as a member of the Denver Broncos and he ran for 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons. Unfortunately, when the Broncos moved away from the zone blocking scheme in 2020 (when they hired Pat Shurmur as offensive coordinator), Lindsay’s role in the offense became murky.

He received a high volume of targets in the passing game in 2018 and 2019 but was limited in that regard in 2020. With Shurmur as the OC, the Broncos essentially telegraphed that they were running just about every time Lindsay was on the field. Although he’s not on clinical pass-protecting tapes and although he did have some dropped passes in Denver, Lindsay is a good runner who could provide a spark to the Broncos’ offense once more.

As of right now, Lindsay is on the Indianapolis Colts‘ practice squad. NFL rules don’t allow teams to poach off of an opponent’s practice squad within six days of a matchup against that team, so the Broncos would have to either wait until after their Thursday matchup against the Colts or Lindsay’s agent would have to somehow convince the team to release him outright. If you monitor some of the Tweets Lindsay has been liking on Twitter, a reuinion in Denver would certainly not be impossible for his part. It seems like he would definitely come back.

The Broncos extended Lindsay a restricted free agent tender in 2021 under general manager George Paton, but that offer was rescinded when the team signed Mike Boone. Lindsay has been floating around to a few teams in the time since, and I am sure he would welcome a return to Denver in an offense that might better suit him.