BRONCOS PICK UP RB JUSTIN FORSETT
For a large chunk of the Broncos’ season-saving victory Sunday at Jacksonville, their healthiest running back was Juwan Thompson. But he is a fullback, and he had just three carries this season before Sunday. The Broncos were that thin in the backfield.
So Denver on Monday claimed former Detroit Lions running back Justin Forsett off the waiver wire. To make room on their roster, the Broncos put backup running back Kapri Bibbs on seasonending injured reserve. He suffered a high ankle sprain against Jacksonville.
The Broncos rank 23rd in the NFL in yards rushing, averaging 100.2 per game, and now are without their Nos. 1 and 3 running backs as well as their starting fullback, all lost for the season because of injuries.
“That’s good for us, getting more depth,” Denver running back Devontae Booker said. “Right now at the running back position, we’re dropping like flies. So it’s great to have him. Can’t wait to meet him.”
Booker figures to get the majority of carries going forward. Forsett, 31, was cut by the Lions on Saturday after two games with the team. But he has a promising history with Broncos coach Gary Kubiak.
Forsett ran for a career-high 1,266 yards in 2014 with the Baltimore Ravens, when Kubiak was his offensive coordinator. Forsett’s addition to the Broncos’ roster this late in the season should be offset some by his familiarity with Kubiak and his playbook.
“Been at dinner did I miss anything while I was away?” Forsett joked on Twitter Monday afternoon. “Oh yeah what’s the weather like in Denver?”
Forsett was drafted by Seattle in the seventh round in 2008. He has also played with the Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars over nine seasons.
After Bibbs left Florida in a walking boot on Sunday, the Broncos hopped into the freeagent market for help.
“Uh, yeah. It’s a concern,” Kubiak said Monday at Dove Valley about the running back situation before the Broncos officially added Forsett. “It has a lot to do with, can you play with two backs? Yeah, we’ve done that. Juwan is ready to go. He got pushed into service Sunday, and there were periods of time when he was the only healthy guy we had. We’ll see. It’s something John and I always look at. We’ve been there.”
Bibbs, a former Colorado State standout, needed just five attempts to lead the Broncos’ rushing attack against Jacksonville, with 49 yards, including a 24-yard run in the first quarter. Booker had just 35 yards on 18 carries.
Bibbs underwent a magnetic resonance imaging examination Monday at Dove Valley, which showed no broken bones, Bibbs said.
“I told Greek (Broncos athletic trainer Steve Antonopulos) that I’m like Wolverine. I heal quick,” Bibbs said, referencing the comic book character.
The Broncos’ No. 1 running back, C.J. Anderson, is out for the season after suffering torn meniscus in his right knee.
Fullback Andy Janovich was lost last week to a season-ending ankle injury. The Broncos scraped by against the Jaguars on just 206 yards total offense.
“We were playing a team that was excellent against the pass. We knew that going into the game,” Kubiak said. “We wanted to commit to the run. Kapri gave us a boost. He came in and ran really well. We did some good things in the first half. In the second half, we did not at all. It’s a concern.”