The Denver Broncos are dealing with some issues at running back and with Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman injured, fantasy football owners should look at CJ Anderson and Juwan Thompson as RB pickup options for Week 12, as Peyton Manning can't continue to throw as much as he did on Sunday against the Rams and that means more touches for both players.
Hillman was injured last week and he will be out for multiple weeks, while Montee Ball re-aggravated his groin injury on Sunday and could miss time. According to Pro Football Talk, Ball could be limited if his groin injury isn't serious and that would open things up for Anderson, who played well in the previous two weeks while coming in for the injured players. The Broncos need to run the ball more, as Peyton manning cannot attempt 50 passes a game this late in the season with the playoffs still to come.
Anderson performed well in his time with Ball and Hillman out, but there are other options on the market now. Ben Tate and LeGarrette Blount were both released on Tuesday and if they clear waivers, they could be options for the Broncos. Tate comes in after a good season last year with the Texans, but he had fallen out of favor in Cleveland after signing a two year contract in the offseason. Blount was released after making a stink about how he was being used and he left the field on Monday night before the Steelers and Titans game was over.
Tate likely is a better option than Blount since Blount clearly has some attitude issues, but the Broncos sure could use the help. While Anderson has been solid and Thompson has been good this year as well, they do not have as much experience as the other two and Tate could be an upgrade over both. Tate was not getting carries over the past few weeks with Cleveland using Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West more and now he could find a home in Denver or in Indianapolis, as the Colts are also dealing with injuries.
Hillman is expected to miss Week 12 and that is tough for the Broncos, as he had been a great substitute for Montee Ball while he was out. Ball returned just as Hillman was injured, but then on Sunday Ball aggravated his groin injury and now could miss more time. Hillman is expected back soon, but for fantasy owners it could be too late and that is why Anderson is a solid pickup. This season Hillman has 378 yards rushing along with 20 catches for 137 yards and four total TDs.
Anderson has 201 yards this season in nine games and he had over 100 total yards on 17 touches against the Rams. Anderson rushed for 29 yards and added another 86 yards in receiving and that makes him valuable in PPR leagues, as he had eight catches in the game. Anderson had his best game two weeks ago coming in for Hillman, as he had 90 yards rushing and also had 73 yards receiving in the matchup.
