Devontae Booker, Broncos RB
The skinny: The Broncos lost their fifth consecutive game last Sunday, but the offense showed flashes of improvement. They gained 118 yards on the ground against New England. This Sunday they face a Cincinnati team that ranks 27th in the NFL in rushing defense (123.6 net yards allowed per game). Enter Booker, the Broncos’ second-year back who is getting an increased role. The Broncos haven’t scored a rushing touchdown since Oct. 30 in a loss at Kansas City.
The background: Booker led the Broncos with 612 yards rushing last season after starter C.J. Anderson was lost to a knee injury. This season, after missing the first three games because of a wrist injury, Booker has totaled 26 carries and 107 yards for an average of 4.1 per attempt. Booker has also recently taken over kick-returning duties and has returned 10 kicks for 213 yards.
Mike Mccoy’s take: “I’ve been very pleased with him,” Broncos offensive coordinator Mike Mccoy said of Booker. “Really, he is getting better every week. Unfortunately, he missed all of training camp with the limited reps that he had before he got going there. You can see the explosiveness that he has. You want to get him the ball.”
Brock Olivo’s take: “He’s a guy who’s never played (special) teams really in his life. He’s stepped in and he’s become a four-phaser for us. Plus, he plays snaps on offense,” special-teams coordinator Brock Olivo said. “He’s tough, he doesn’t complain and he asks the right questions. He hasn’t had any missed assignments. It takes a tough guy to step in and do that who’s never done it, so I commend ‘Book’ for that big time.”