FANTASY FOOTBALL NFL PLAYERS

Posted: 11/12/2009 2:54pm et

The Colorado Springs Gazette reports Denver Broncos RB Correll Buckhalter started over RB Knowshon Moreno in Week 9, but head coach Josh McDaniels said the decision was not performance-based.

The Huddle Take: Buckhalter was a starter in name only, as he only had 11 touches (9 runs, two receptions) to Knowshon Moreno's 7 (5 and 2). It's likely the workload split will be similar going forward.

Posted: 11/11/2009 4:23pm et

The Denver Post reports Denver Broncos RBs Correll Buckhalter and Knowshon Moreno have combined for 84 yards rushing on 32 carries for a 2.6-yard average in the past two games. 'There's no shortcut to it,' head coach Josh McDaniels said. 'We have to work hard at getting ourselves to run the ball better and be more effective running the football and staying out of third-and-long. That alone will allow us to stay balanced. We've got to get the running game going. We've got a lot of things to do better though; it's not just the running game.'

The Huddle Take: It didn't help that they played a Ravens' defense on their only good week this season and the #1 rated Pittsburgh run defense in the past two games. Look for the Broncos to work hard on getting the running game going Sunday against a softer Redskins run defense to lessen their reliance on QB Orton.

Posted: 10/15/2009 11:11pm et

Denver Broncos RB Correll Buckhalter (ankle) practiced Thursday, Oct. 15, and he plans to play Week 6. Buckhalter said his ankle is 90 percent healthy.

The Huddle Take: With Buckhalter practicing on Thursday it is likely that the Denver running back will see some action in Week 6. Fantasy owners should expect rookie Knowshon Moreno to get the start with Buckhalter likely seeing action on a limited basis due to his ankle injury.

Posted: 10/9/2009 7:05pm et

Denver Broncos RB Correll Buckhalter (ankle) did not participate in practice Friday, Oct. 9. He has been ruled out for the team's Week 5 game.

The Huddle Take: Knowshon Moreno will get the lion's share of carries against the Patriots.

Posted: 10/8/2009 11:14pm et

Denver Broncos RB Correll Buckhalter (ankle) missed the team's practice Thursday, Oct. 8. He would need a quick recovery if he wanted to play Week 5, but he has not officially been ruled out.

The Huddle Take: Despite the chance that Buckhalter could play, the Broncos will likely turn to rookie Knowshon Moreno and give him the bulk of the carries. It is apparent that the rookie should continue to get a fair amount of the rushing opportunities even when Buckhalter comes back since he was drafted to be the running back of the future for this team.

Posted: 10/5/2009 12:03pm et

Updating a previous item, Arnie Stapleton, of The Associated Press, reports Denver Broncos RB Correll Buckhalter suffered a sprained ankle during the team's Week 4 game. He finished with 55 yards on five receptions and 37 rushing yards on six carries. He walked out of the stadium on crutches.

The Huddle Take: In theory, a Buckhalter injury would suggest more touches for rookie Knowshon Moreno. However, this being a Josh McDaniels offense it may just mean LaMont Jordan sees an uptick in his workload. At minimum Buckhalter's status is worth monitoring, as he's been the Broncos' most effective back despite seeing fewer carries than Moreno.

Posted: 10/4/2009 7:15pm et

FOX Sports reports Denver Broncos RB Correll Buckhalter (ankle) left the team�s Week 4 game with an ankle injury and it is not known if he will return.

The Huddle Take: This obviously means more work for Moreno, and could move Moreno into the primary starting role if Buckhalter is out for any length of time. This is going to happen at some point anyway, but this could be the catalyst needed.

Posted: 9/28/2009 12:31pm et

The Associated Press reports Denver Broncos RB Correll Buckhalter and RB Knowshon Moreno combined for 198 rushing yards during the team's Week 3 game. Buckhalter had 14 carries for 108 yards while Moreno carried the ball 21 times for 90 yards with a touchdown.

The Huddle Take: Welcome to your new Broncos backfield by committee. Moreno seems to be the primary ball carrier, but Buckhalter has been the most productive and Peyton Hillis has handled the goal line work. Against Oakland there was enough yardage to go around; that might not be the case in future weeks.

Posted: 9/21/2009 10:50am et

The Associated Press reports Denver Broncos RB Correll Buckhalter had nine carries for 76 yards with a touchdown Week 2, and RB Knowshon Moreno added 75 rushing yards off 17 carries in the game. Buckhalter also had a 30-yard reception while Moreno caught two passes for 22 yards.

The Huddle Take: And let's not forget Peyton Hillis, who scored on a one-yard touchdown run. Yep, despite the departure of Mike Shanahan the Broncos remain a fantasy owner's nightmare: running back by committee. While Josh McDaniels' track record in New England suggests more of the same, the fact that Moreno received almost twice the carries as his backfield mate—combined with his first-round draft status and considerable talent—makes him the member of this RBBC with the most fantasy upside.

Posted: 8/17/2009 1:03pm et

CBSSports.com reports Denver Broncos FB Peyton Hillis could wind up as the team's No. 1 running back in Week 1. Hillis has not missed a workout in training camp, while RBs Knowshon Moreno (knee), Correll Buckhalter (undisclosed) and LaMont Jordan (knee) have been sidelined at various points due to injury.

The Huddle Take: While that's a distinct possibility, it's also pretty pointless to read to much into that development in preparation for your Fantasy draft. Denver is the chief offender when it comes to Running Back by Committee, and that should even be more of the case this season.