We've had some interest in Devontae Booker. He disappointed as a rookie, but he's a talented guy, and seemed to have a shot to get past C.J. Anderson, plus he was a better bet to stay healthy than Jamaal Charles. But not a great week for those theories.
Anderson is apparently in great shape, and looks like the heavy favorite for work right now. Booker injured a wrist at OTAs and will undergo surgery today that is expected to sideline him for 6-8 weeks. With that timetable, he'll miss at least a game or two at the start of the season, and not getting any work with the offense in the preseason will put him behind the team's other backs.
Charles is practicing, but with a bulky brace on his knee. He's been cleared, but the team is going to bring him along slowly. Talented guy, obviously, but his health is in question, and the team is hedging its bets on him. Denver has lots of other running backs, including journeymen veterans Bernard Pierce and also Stevan Ridley, signed yesterday. Ridley was presumably added with Booker's injury status in mind, but it's a reminder that Charles isn't being counted on for a major role.
I picked up sixth-rounder DeAngelo Henderson in dynasty yesterday. Given the Booker surgery and Charles' recent injury history, he could very well open the season as Denver's No. 2 running back.
But the guy who really looks good in the wake of the Booker news is Anderson. For years Denver seems to have tried to lessen his role, with him splitting work with Ronnie Hillman and whatnot. But he's looking like the team's rock-solid lead running back right now.
--Andy Richardson