Cecil

Sapp

Reuben Droughns and Kyle Johnson remain as the two fullbacks on Denver’s roster.

It looks like he’s passed Kyle Johnson, the starter last season, on the depth chart for now.

Sapp will take Quentin Griffin’s spot on the roster.

Klis expects Bell will match his 2007 rushing stat line (677-4.3-8) and could be used in a Marion Barber-like role, “especially near the goal line.” The Broncos were very impressed by Bell’s short-yardage efficiency as a rookie, but Barber-like numbers are unrealistic.

If the test is negative, coach Mike Shanahan said Henry could return next week. But even that seems optimistic. Sprained MCLs can often take up to a month. If serious, Mike Bell could be in line for the starting position early in the year, assuming the injury he suffered tonight is minor. Cecil Sapp would also be in contention. Stay tuned.

“Cecil has great running skills,” assistant HC/offense Mike Heimerdinger says. It looks like Sapp has made the conversion to tailback from fullback and is probably the favorite to be the number three runner behind Travis Henry and Mike Bell, which puts him on the fantasy radar. Second-year player Andre Hall and rookie Selvin Young are also in the mix.

A depth chart released Monday listed Bell as the No. 2 running back and had Selvin Young fifth, but that’s clearly off base. Bell and Cecil Sapp are competing for the fullback job, and Young is the favorite to back up Travis Henry at running back. “I’m just sucking it up and trying to make the best of it,” Bell said. “Now, it’s my job to win the fullback job.”

The Denver Post points out that Young is slender and more fit for a change-of-pace role; his former coaches at Texas would agree. Hall is smaller but more compact with better long speed. With Mike Bell and Cecil Sapp also candidates for carries, Young may not be guaranteed a feature back role.

There are still many details to be learned, but Henry is at risk of missing the rest of the season. In his limited time, Young has looked very impressive, averaging almost ten yards-per-touch and often bowling over defenders. Young would be projected as a top-15 back as long as he held the starting job. Andre Hall would move into the backup slot, while Mike Bell and Cecil Sapp are candidates to move back to tailback.