Broncos rookie RB may start Sunday as Buckhalter missed third consecutive practice

The Denver Broncos rookie running back Knowshon Moreno may have his fist chance of starting a game this Sunday, since Correll Buckhalter has missed three consecutive practices since Wednesday with an ankle injury.

Before spraining his left ankle last Sunday, Buckhalter has managed to lead the NFL with 7.2 yards per carry and lead the team with 267 yards rushing. And Moreno is not much worse. After returning from a knee injury that kept him out of the final three weeks of the preseason, the rookie wearing No. 24 Broncos jersey has been a force in Denver’s fourth-ranked rushing attack. And Coach Josh McDaniels has said that the team’s top draft pick has been up to speed n every aspect of the playbook and prepared for whatever role he may play.

As the first running back drafted when the Broncos selected him 12th overall out of Georgia, Moreno has rushed 60 times for 249 yards, both tops among rookies. He also has produced a team-high 17 first downs: 14 on rushes and three as a receiver. He has not only shown a knack for running with power between the tackles but also pass protection ability that has played a pivotal role.