Broncos Work Out RBs Mikel LeShoure, LaRod Stephens-Howling
Aug 29, 2013; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Alan Branch (90) tries to make a tackle on Detroit Lions running back Mikel Leshoure (25) during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
The Denver Broncos on Tuesday worked out free agent running backs Mikel LeShoure and LaRod Stephens-Howling among others, per Mike Klis of the Denver Post.
The Broncos likely are just seeing what their options are if stuff hits the fan with the whole Montee Ball situation, which has left Denver with just Ronnie Hillman, C.J. Anderson, and Juwan Thompson on the active roster as potential replacements. LeShoure and Stephens-Howling certainly wouldn’t come in and immediately pop up on the starting lineup, but the running back position is a glamorous one, and these are a couple of pretty big names.
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LeShoure was a bust for the Detroit Lions, suffering a variety of injuries leading to his losing all snaps behind Joique Bell and Reggie Bush at the end of his tenure there, but he was a heck of a runner at Illinois. Stephens-Howling was a really good change of pace back and return specialist with the Arizona Cardinals, but injuries did him in with the Steelers.
Both players are intriguing from a standpoint of the weight their names hold, but not much more. The Broncos have guys at running back they are comfortable with for the time being, and you’re likely to see a healthy dose of all three until someone separates himself from the rest of the pack.
For now, that back remains Ronnie Hillman, who had 64 yards on 15 carries in Denver’s win over Arizona. Hillman looked really good, which is a major changeup for him over the last three years, and has inspired some confidence in me that wasn’t previously there.
The other backs who worked out for Denver are unknown at this point, but they did let go of Ryan Miller off of the practice squad so perhaps one of those players is a candidate to jump on if the Broncos opt to move Kapri Bibbs up to the active roster, another option here that some have forgotten about.