Riddick to miss 6 to 8 weeks

Recent acquisition at running back out with injury

The first pass attempt to Theo Riddick in his Broncos preseason debut resulted in an injury that is expected to keep him sidelined into the regular season.

Riddick, a seventh-year running back signed by the Broncos in training camp after being waived by the Detroit Lions, split out wide right on a fourth-and-short snap late in the first quarter Thursday night at Seattle when quarterback Kevin Hogan targeted Riddick on a quick slant. The pass was thrown ahead of Riddick, and when he reached out to secure it, Seahawks linebacker Austin Calitro drilled Riddick’s right shoulder and jarred the football loose.

Broncos coach Vic Fangio told reporters Sunday he suspected the hit gave Riddick his shoulder injury with a recovery time that will “probably drag into the regular season.” Riddick is expected to miss 6-to-8 weeks, a source told The Denver Post, setting up the most optimistic return date as Week 3 at the Green Bay Packers on Sept. 22.

The injury is a lesson in the unforgiving nature of NFL physicality. Riddick was signed by the Broncos a week ago Sunday and told reporters at the UCHealth Training Center after his first practice: “Denver was it for me. They’re going to utilize my talents and strengths.”

But Riddick hit the injury list four days later and now leaves the Broncos without a valuable offensive asset for a significant stretch.

Riddick, 28, was signed to become the Broncos’ third-down running back as a versatile receiver from the backfield or slot. He tallied 50 or more catches in each of his last five seasons, with

14 career touchdowns receiving. It would appear his role in Denver’s offense now momentarily shifts back to running back Devontae Booker, who served as the third-down back behind Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman last year.

Booker, 27, has 30-plus catches in each of his first three NFL seasons but only one career receiving touchdown. Booker has displayed continued confidence over his role on offense even in the wake of Riddick’s addition to the roster.

On Aug. 6, Booker said, “We just have to go out there and compete with each other every day.”

An expansion of Lindsay’s role in the passing game is another possibility to fill production during Riddick’s injury absence. Lindsay hauled in 35 receptions for 241 yards and a touchdown as a rookie, but he spent much of the offseason refining his route running with the technical help of Broncos wide receivers. Lindsay was also a proven college pass catcher while at CU with 117 career receptions for 1,084 yards.

“I feel confident in what I do in my abilities,” Lindsay said. “I can catch just as good as I can run. I run routes just as good as I can cut down the field.” Kyle Fredrickson: kfredrickson@denverpost.com or @kylefredrickson