Denver Broncos’ Running Back Theo Riddick Out, Depth Will Be Tested In The Passing Game

By Jordan Long

Denver Broncos’ newly acquired running back, Theo Riddick, is now out 6 to 8 weeks.   He suffered a slight fracture in his shoulder in the Broncos’ preseason loss to the Seattle Seahawks.  Riddick might be able to come back in week 3 when Denver travels to Green Bay.  If not, he could return October 6^th when Denver heads to L.A.  to face the Chargers.  Denver will need to use their depth at running back to replace Riddick.

                Riddick was expected to compete for the backup running back role behind Phillip Lindsay.   He is not a running back who carries the football as much as Lindsay.  Riddick doesn’t gain yards from running the football but rather catching the football on passing plays.

  Denver was hoping to use him in the passing game to catch the football and move the chains.  It was possible they were going to line up with 2 running backs in the I formation and have Riddick sneak out to be open on the left or the right side of the field. The other running back would be there to block downfield as well as give quarterback Joe Flacco time to throw the football to Riddick.  That will not happen until Riddick comes back.

                With him out the Broncos’ running back depth chart won’t change much.  Lindsay is still going to be the number 1 running back who can catch passes for large gains and run the football.  Royce Freeman is probably next behind Lindsay.   Freeman can run the football when Lindsay isn’t in the game.  He hasn’t shown he can catch the football to gain yards with only 72 receiving yards in his rookie season last year.

                Devontae Booker is competing to stay on this team.  Now that Riddick is out, he may be on this team when the regular season starts.  He could be the replacement for Riddick on passing plays.  He has shown the capability in his career to catch the football to help march the Broncos down the field with 815 receiving yards and 1 touchdown.

                The Broncos know losing Riddick is a big deal for the offense.  They have the ability with Lindsay, Freemen and Booker to replace him.  The problem could be if these running backs start dropping the football when passes are in their hands, especially when there is green grass ahead of them.  If they do they will not help Denver.  Hopefully when Riddick is healed, he will make plays for the Broncos.