Montee Ball to get heavy workload Week 1
Broncos running back Montee Ball allayed any concerns about his health in the third preseason game. Nineteen days after undergoing an appendectomy, Ball touched the ball on Denver's first five plays from scrimmage. He got eight touches on the opening drive versus Houston and emerged "none the worse for the wear," per the team's website.
Ball is primed for a heavy workload Sunday night. For one thing, primary backup Ronnie Hillman is not 100 percent. Hillman came down with an undisclosed illness late last week and was taken to a hospital. He returned to practice Monday but was limited.
Ball averaged a healthy 4.7 yards per carry as a rookie, but his finish was especially impressive. After losing a fumble Week 12 at New England, Ball averaged 5.4 yards over his final 73 carries and earned trust as a pass protector.
Ball's strong finish convinced the Broncos to let Knowshon Moreno go. They didn't bring in anyone to challenge Ball.
His first start comes against a Colts defense that ranked 26th in Fantasy points allowed to running backs (19.78) last year. Consider Ball a borderline top-5 option.
