Coming off the most productive game of his rookie season, former Utah running back Devontae Booker is primed to make his first NFL start for the Denver Broncos.
During the Broncos’ 27-9 win over Houston Monday, Denver starting running back C.J. Anderson injured his right knee during an 11-yard run on the final play of the first quarter. While he returned to the game and finished with a season-high 107 rushing yards, Anderson’s injury appears significant.
ESPN and The Denver Post reported Thursday that Anderson will undergo surgery with meniscus damage and is out indefinitely, while an MRI determined he did not tear his ACL. Both news outlets said the surgery will determine the extent of the damage. If Anderson has a full meniscus tear, he’s likely out for the year; if it’s a partial tear, he could be out four to five weeks, ESPN reported.
Anderson’s injury opens the door for Booker, a fourth-round draft pick by Denver this season, to take over the starting role beginning with the team’s game against San Diego Sunday.
Booker rushed for 83 yards on 17 carries against the Texans, including his first touchdown as a pro when he scored from 1 yard out during the third quarter. He played 55 percent (35) of the Broncos' snaps against the Texans, six more than Anderson.
"The more touches I started getting, the more comfortable I started feeling," Booker told denverbroncos.com. "When I first got here, there was still a learning obstacle for me. The more and more that I watch film and start studying, the more and more I know about pass protections."
On the season, Booker has rushed for 244 yards on 51 carries for a 4.8 per-carry average. He’s added nine receptions for 69 yards. Booker has rushed for 30 or more yards in four of the Broncos' seven games this year and averaged a season-best 9.2 yards per carry in a Week 6 loss to the Chargers, when he ran for 46 yards on five carries.
There's still a learning curve for the first-year pro. Booker has two fumbles on the year, including one he recovered against the Texans and another on his first professional carry in Week 1 Broncos loss.
With Booker poised to take starter snaps, Kapri Bibbs, who played at Snow College in 2011, would likely be the backup. Bibbs has four carries for 21 yards and one reception for 6 yards in his third NFL season.
"Book's coming along, and we've got a lot of confidence in Kapri, too. We've got a lot of confidence in them if asked,” Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian told denverbroncos.com.
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