Lance Ball is listed as the second-team running back on the Broncos' first preseason depth chart. Ball finished out last year as Willis McGahee's backup, averaging a healthy 4.2 YPC and showing well on passing downs. He's now ahead of rookie Ronnie Hillman and a rehabbing Knowshon Moreno. But if McGahee were to go down, the Broncos would likely employ a committee approach in the run game while leaning even more on Peyton Manning's arm.

Lance Ball began training camp as the No. 2 tailback behind Willis McGahee. Ball earned the coaching staff's trust as a passing-down complement to McGahee late last season, so it's no surprise that he's ahead of Knowshon Moreno (ACL surgery) and raw rookie Ronnie Hillman. Size-speed project Mario Fannin, returning from an ACL injury of his own, also saw snaps with the second-team offense.

Broncos tendered exclusive rights free agents RB Lance Ball, P Britton Colquitt, and OT Chris Clark. Ball closed out last season as the passing-down complement to Willis McGahee. The Broncos are expected to seek an upgrade for McGahee's running mate in 2012. Boosted by Denver's thin air, Britton graded out as Pro Football Focus' top-ranked punter last season.

Lance Ball rushed nine times for 24 yards in Denver's Week 17 loss to the Chiefs. A typically plodding day for a back who's had trouble taking advantage of the Broncos' run-heavy attack this season. An impending exclusive rights free agent, Ball finishes 2011 with 96 rushes for 402 yards and 16 catches for 148 yards. Depending on how Knowshon Moreno's recovery from a torn ACL goes this offseason, Ball might not be brought back to back-up an aging and fragile Willis McGahee in 2012.

Lance Ball carried the ball 11 times for 64 yards and a touchdown in Week 15, adding two catches for 41 yards in Denver's loss to the Patriots. Ball also lost a critical fumble. With Willis McGahee in-and-out of the game with a leg injury, Ball racked up his most yards of the season. Most of his damage came on two plays, a 32-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and 34-yard reception in the fourth. Ball is a load to bring down in the open field, but lacks the athleticism to get out in space on a consistent basis. He'll be a low-end RB2 if McGahee can't give it a go in Week 16.

Lance Ball carried the ball just one time for 13 yards in Denver's Week 14 victory, but added four catches for 37 yards. Even though a banged up Willis McGahee could get nothing going on the ground, the Broncos gave Ball his fewest carries since Week 5. With just 25 total touches over his past four games, Ball can't be counted on as a weekly flex option in any format.

Lance Ball gained just 18 yards on five carries and added 26 yards on two receptions against the Jets in Week 11. Ball and FB Spencer Larsen both carried five times while Jeremiah Johnson saw four touches, mostly on trick plays and pitches. Ball did make two nice plays on screen passes, but was mostly a non-factor. As long as Willis McGahee plays, Ball can't be trusted at San Diego in Week 12.

Lance Ball will function as the Broncos' No. 2 running back with Willis McGahee (hamstring) active against the Jets Thursday night. Ball's fantasy potential takes a hit with McGahee not only active but in for a heavy workload, per inference from coach John Fox's comments. We can't bank on an in-game hamstring aggravation, so Ball's No. 35 ranking among fantasy backs for Week 11 will stick. He's merely a flex option.

Lance Ball confirmed that the Broncos are planning for a run-heavy game plan against the Jets regardless of Willis McGahee's (hamstring) status for Thursday night. Coach John Fox deemed McGahee "day to day" after a very limited practice on Tuesday. Even if McGahee suits up, his hamstring isn't going to allow for a full workload. Ball has a chance for 15+ touches against the Jets, leaving him as a must-add on the waiver wire.

Lance Ball rushed a career-high 30 times for 96 yards in the Broncos' Week 10 win over the Chiefs. With Willis McGahee (hamstring) and Knowshon Moreno (knee) leaving early on, Ball was the only back left to take on the oversized workload John Fox had dialed up. The Broncos ran 22 of their first 23 plays, and passed the ball just eight times on the night. Moreno has already been ruled out for next week, and Ball should be watched closely on the waiver wire until we know McGahee's status. The Denver O-Line is playing well and whoever takes the reins is bound to be a low-end RB2 play.