Ball (appendix) will visit with a doctor Monday to determine whether he will be cleared to practice this week, the Denver Post reports. Even if he is cleared, Ball may be held out of contact-practices this week by the team's medical staff, which would almost certainly keep him from playing in the third preseason game, which comes Saturday against the Texans. With starters traditionally not playing in the fourth preseason game, it's possible that Ball will head into Week 1 with no game-action under his belt this summer. Ronnie Hillman will continue to start in Ball's absence, with C.J. Anderson also getting some reps with the first team.

Ball (appendix) said Sunday that he could practice this week, Troy Renck of the Denver Post reports. It's not entirely certain where Ball sits in his recovery from an appendectomy, but he is making good progress in his recovery, so consider his return on track. Ball is hoping to play in at least one preseason game, but it remains to be seen if he will get enough work in this week to play in the Broncos' next exhibition contest Saturday.

Ball (appendix) is hoping to play at least one preseason game, but head coach John Fox said he may hold Ball out until the season opener, the Denver Post reports. "We will play it by ear," Fox said Saturday. "We saw him play plenty a year ago. And we saw him plenty this offseason." Ball is the unquestioned starter this season, although it's certainly possible he'll be limited in Week 1 if he doesn't play in the preseason at all. Ronnie Hillman has been getting a majority of the first-team snaps in Ball's absence, with Juwan Thompson and Kapri Bibbs backing him up.

Ball will undergo an appendectomy Monday, but is expected to be ready to play in the Broncos' regular season opener, ESPN reports.

Montee Ball performed well through the first week of training camp. Ball has reportedly "shown vision in the run game, decisiveness in his cuts and consistent, quality work in the passing game." ESPN's Broncos reporter says the second-year back is "poised for a big season" and suggests 250 carries. We also know he's going to get all the goal-line work in the game's most explosive offense and is a solid pass-catcher as well. Ball is currently ranked as fantasy's No. 8 running back in our online Draft Guide.

During the offseason, the Broncos saw "vast improvements" from Montee Ball in his work as both a receiver and pass blocker.

ESPN Broncos reporter Jeff Legwold says the part of Montee Ball's game that showed the most improvement in recent weeks was as a receiver. Upon tape review of Ball's rookie season, we actually thought he handled himself well as a pass-catcher. The Broncos did not change their running back route tree at all when Ball checked in, allowing him to run the simple flares and check-downs in addition to lining up wide and executing some gos and slants. He even caught a shovel pass. During offseason practices over the last month, Ball has "consistently shown he's ready to participate in long-yardage situations as a receiver" and has "shown better footwork" in pass pro. A projection of 45-50 catches in addition to a starring role in the run game is realistic.

ESPN Broncos reporter Jeff Legwold expects the Broncos to be a "more efficient running team on the inside this season, especially in the scoring zone." The optimism stems mostly from an improved offensive line. Left tackle Chris Clady is back from a Lisfranc tear, allowing powerful Orlando Franklin to move to left guard while Chris Clark and Winston Justice battle for the right tackle spot. New feature back Montee Ball is also a far better inside runner than departed Knowshon Moreno, and he'll be running against a league-high percentage of nickel and dime looks. Ball's upside is through the roof, especially in the touchdown category.

Montee Ball attributes his 2013 late-season improvement and increased playing time to being able to anticipate Peyton Manning's pre-snap audibles at the line of scrimmage. Audible anticipation is critical for running backs in a Peyton offense because Manning changes to run plays to "exploit off-balance defensive fronts," and will often check into pass plays that require the back to identify and pick up a blitzer. "I started playing better then," said Ball. "I wish that it had happened earlier. I always tell myself, imagine what it would have been like had I begun like this." Ball piled up 337 yards on 52 carries (6.48 YPC) over Denver's final six regular season games, adding 15 receptions. He's looking to build on that momentum in 2014 as the Broncos' clear-cut bellcow back.

Offensive coordinator Adam Gase pinpointed Montee Ball as the Broncos player who made the biggest strides over the course of 2013. "Big strides," said Gase. "He'd probably be the one guy who made the most improvement. And to see him make the next jump in his second year, we're looking forward to that." Gase reiterated the Broncos have faith in Ball as their clear-cut 2014 feature back. "We do have a lot of confidence in him," Gase added. "He brings that full package of a good running back. Running the ball, catching the ball out of the backfield, and protecting."