Denver Broncos running back Montee Ball (groin) did not participate in practice on Wednesday, while teammate and fellow running back Ronnie Hillman (shoulder) was limited in practice, according to New England Patriots' beat writer Ben Volin.
Montee Ball misses practice, Ronnie Hillman limited, fantasy owners take note
Both Broncos running backs are trying to work their way through injuries. We break down the fantasy implications.
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Fantasy Impact: Ball has already eclipsed the 2-3 week timeline that was handed down to him in relation to his ailment, so to see him not practicing on Wednesday isn’t the news his fantasy owners want to hear. He was getting roughly 12 carries a game before being hurt back in Week 5.
Hillman’s injury, on the other hand, is a new one. He landed awkwardly on his shoulder in practice on Tuesday and the team has yet to release any further details to this point as to the severity of the injury.
Should neither back be able to play against the Patriots in Week 9, rookie Juwan Thompson would step into the feature role for the Broncos. He scored two touchdowns last week with Hillman in the lineup, managing to break through the goal line from the 1-yard line both times.
Fantasy owners of Hillman should still be optimistic that he’ll start, but keep on eye on Thompson as a potential fill-in. Ball’s owners, on the other hand, look like they’re going to be without him for another game.
