Ball survived final cuts, Mike Klis of the Denver Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Broncos decided to keep four running backs, at least for the time being. There's still some chance Ball is released before Week 1, and even if he sticks around, he won't necessarily be active on gamedays. Juwan Thompson passed Ball for the No. 3 spot on the depth chart.

Ball had 16 carries for 27 yards in Thursday's preseason game against the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Ball was competing for the No. 3 running back job with Juwan Thompson, who didn't get any touches in Thursday's game. It seems Ball lost the competition, so he'll now have to hope the Broncos keep four running backs. Even if he hangs on, Ball won't necessarily be active on gamedays, and he's unlikely to get another shot at earning a significant role in Denver.

Ball is expected to get plenty of reps in the Broncos' final preseason game Thursday against the Falcons as he continues to battle Juwan Thompson for the third running back role, ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The report notes that Thompson's roster spot is fairly secure because of his special teams work, but because Ball doesn't play there, he could be a fairly regular inactive this season as the fourth running back. It sounds like the Broncos will keep four running backs on the roster, but Ball's fantasy upside is very weak if he stays in Denver.

Ball worked behind Juwan Thompson in Saturday's preseason game against the 49ers, the ESPN's Jeff Legwold reports.

EDGE Analysis

Once a candidate to win the top backup job, Ball now seems to be fighting for a roster spot. He finished with 11 yards on four carries, adding 20 yards on one reception (one target). Thompson, who is pushing for the No. 3 spot on the depth chart, had 14 yards and a touchdown on four carries, with 19 yards on three receptions (four targets). Ronnie Hillman is locked in as the top backup to C.J. Anderson.

Ball is expected to get roughly seven-to-eight touches per game this season, with C.J. Anderson likely to get a large majority of the backfield workload, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post. Ball was the clearcut No. 1 at the beginning of last season, but he struggled with injuries and was outplay by both Ronnie Hillman and C.J. Anderson, the latter of which has the clear track to be the starter this season. Ball may be a decent handcuff for Anderson's fantasy owners, but he'll likely be a tough choice in daily leagues if Anderson stays healthy.

Ball (groin) has been getting some of the first-team reps at OTAs, 9News Denver reports. C.J. Anderson entered the offseason program as the starter and remains all but assured of entering Week 1 as Denver's lead back. However, Ball may have the opportunity to carve out a significant role in the offense, especially if the Broncos look to lighten the burden on Peyton Manning. In other Broncos news, Pro Bowl LT Ryan Clady will miss the entire 2015 season due to a torn ACL suffered Wednesday, creating yet another question mark for an offensive line in transition.

Ball (groin) will head into training camp behind C.J. Anderson on the depth chart, head coach Gary Kubiak said last week. Ball was the starter at the beginning of last season but a groin injury ultimately forced Ronnie Hillman into the starting role. Hillman played well, better than Bell, until he suffered a foot injury, pushing Anderson to the top of the depth chart. Anderson outplayed the other two by far and earned the right to start the competition in the lead, though Ball and Hillman are certainly expected to make a run at the starting job.

Ball (groin) said he will be "ready to win the job" in 2015, ESPN.com reports.With C.J. Anderson still under contract, Ball may not even got a chance. The former second-round draft pick has yet to impress through two seasons, while Anderson emerged as a highly effective workhorse in the second half of the 2014 campaign. Denver also has Ronnie Hillman, who put together a solid stretch of games in October, before an injury left Anderson with the starting role. Anderson remains the favorite to lead Denver's 2015 backfield, despite the expectation that Ball will return to full health.

Bal (groin) was placed on season-ending injured reserve Saturday, the Denver Post reports. Ball's groin injury and generally disappointing play made him an expendable player for a team looking to make roster room for Danny Trevathan and Dominique Jones. C.J. Anderson is locked in as the top Denver runner at the moment, though Ronnie Hillman should establish a presence of some sort once he returns from his foot injury. Juwan Thompson will serve as the top backup to Anderson until Hillman returns. Ball's season ends with a remarkably disappointing total of 172 yards and one touchdown on 55 carries in five games. While injuries had plenty to do with Ball's wasted year, he was outperformed by Anderson and Hillman to the point that it's hard to Ball earning reliable playing time in 2015.

Ball (groin) may be able to do more than side work at practice this week, but he remains without a clear return date, the Denver Post reports. The report notes that Ronnie Hillman (foot) is also slated for increased work in practice, and that he could return in Week 16 against the Bengals. Ball doesn't appear as close to a return, and he doesn't figure to get his starting job back whenever he does, as Hillman and C.J. Anderson (ankle) performed very well in his absence, particularly the latter.