Denver Broncos running back Montee Ball has been released, the team announced Sunday. Ball was in the starting picture just a few weeks ago, and was set to push C.J. Anderson for carries with the starting offense.
Montee Ball released by Broncos
Ball, a second-round pick in 2013, has been released by the Broncos.
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Unfortunately, Ball hasn’t impressed with his limited reps in the preseason and he quickly went from “in the starting picture” to “on the roster bubble.” Ball had just 16 carries in Denver’s first three preseason games, but got an extended look in the finale on Thursday.
Ball didn’t get much done with that extended look, playing behind a reserve offensive line that featured a few players changing positions. Ball carried the ball 16 times for just 27 yards. The Broncos as a whole rushed for 49 yards on 24 carries in the game.
For the preseason as a whole, Ball had 68 yards on 32 carries, a per-carry average of 2.1 yards.
Ball's chances to make it were slim when it became clear that Anderson, Ronnie Hillman and Juwan Thompson were all ahead of him on the depth chart. If the team kept four running backs, Ball still wasn't guaranteed the spot as he was battling with Kapri Bibbs.
After his release, Ball thanked the organization via Twitter:
I would like to thank the @Broncos for a fun ride...many lessons learned met some great lifelong friends! Head held high..
— Montee Ball (@ballrb28) September 6, 2015 Ball, a second-round pick in 2013 by the Broncos, played in just five games last year due to injuries. He had 55 carries for 172 yards and a touchdown. In his rookie season, he played in all 16 games and ran the ball 120 times for 559 yards and four touchdowns. He’ll have to work his way up the depth chart for any team that signs him at this point, but it’s hard to imagine a player who was thought so highly of just a couple seasons ago not finding a landing spot for the regular season.
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