Montee Ball Rumors: Denver Broncos Waive Running Back
Montee Ball rumors don’t include the Denver Broncos any longer. Ball got waived by the Broncos on Sunday, September 6, making him available for any other NFL team to claim. A report from CBS Sports states that this was because he fell further on the depth chart for the team, and that the Broncos are moving in a different direction.
It was just a few days ago that there were trade rumors between the Broncos and Dallas Cowboys about Ball. It had seemed like a deal could be close, but nothing was ever agreed to. Now the Cowboys could claim him off waivers and not lose a draft pick in the process. The problem with that scenario, though, is that the Cowboys just traded for running back Christine Michael of the Seattle Seahawks.
The Cowboys have enough running backs on the depth chart now, likely taking them out of the list of suitors for Ball. It doesn’t mean that the Cowboys have figured things out yet, but that the 53-man roster in Dallas won’t allow for another acquisition. At the same time, the Broncos are likely hoping that he passes through waivers and signs up to play on the practice squad for a while.
There are bound to be more Montee Ball rumors very soon, as he is just 24-years-old and a former second-round draft pick. Last season, his year was shortened due to early season injuries and then getting bumped down the depth chart in Denver. He only played in five games, rushing for 172 yards on 55 carries. During his 2013 NFL rookie season, Ball ran for 559 yards and four touchdowns on just 120 carries.
During the NFL preseason, Ball rushed for just 68 yards on 32 carries. It worked out to only 2.1 yards per carry, with 12 yards coming on a single play. It means he had just 56 yards on the 31 other carries, which was not nearly good enough for the Denver Broncos to take playing time away from C.J. Anderson or Ronnie Hillman.
If Ball passes through waivers, he will become a free agent who can sign with any other NFL team. With the number of teams lacking real depth at running back, it is very likely that he is going to get signed. Montee Ball rumors will pick up again following Labor Day, as teams will have a shot to bring him on at a very affordable rate with zero risk.
[Image Source: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images]
