Lammey: New role could mean 1,000-yard season for Broncos Booker

With Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson going under the knife Thursday to repair a torn meniscus, its unlikely we’ll see the running back take the field any time soon.

On with 104.3 The Fan’s “C.J. and Stokley” Thursday, 9News Broncos Insider Mike Klis said the procedure will likely land Anderson on injured reserve with the earliest possibility for any return toward the tail end of 2016.

But as Anderson recovers and rehabilitates, it’ll be the next man up for the Broncos, meaning an increased workload for rookie Devontae Booker.

Offensive coordinator Rick Dennison said Thursday the club believes Booker will be able to step up into the role after splitting touches with Anderson in recent weeks.

“Each of our backs we consider durable enough to carry the load. We’re going to do what we do best and see what happens,” Dennison said.

And with an increased number of looks, The Fan’s Broncos Insider Cecil Lammey believes that Booker could not only thrive but also perhaps exceed the 1,000-yard rushing mark by the end of the season.

“We could see a 1,000-yard season from here on out for Booker because that’s the size of the workload that I anticipate he will get,” Lammey told The Fan’s Sandy Clough Thursday.

Lammey said Booker was a workhorse in college at Utah, and there should be no issues translating that effort to the NFL.

 

And with one of Booker’s strengths catching the ball out of the backfield, the rookie might not leave the field very often, leaving new backup running back Kapri Bibbs looking at just a handful of carries each Sunday.

“(Booker is a) great receiver, by the way. Maybe one of the best receiving backs in the NFL,” Lammey said. “So he doesn’t ever have to come off the field, and that’s great news for the Denver Broncos.”

Booker welcomed the chance to start Wednesday after practice, saying running back coach Eric Studesville coached his unit to “be ready for every opportunity.”

As for handling the increased workload, Booker said, “It’s just the way I run the ball every time I get the ball. If I have to do it the whole game, then it will be what it will be.”

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.