Vance Joseph: Royce Freeman ‘needs more opportunities’

The Denver Broncos ran roughshod over the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football, but for some unknown reason they chose to only do it 22 times despite gaining almost eight yards per carry.

All of Broncos Country were scratching their heads as to why rookie running back Royce Freeman only got the ball eight times despite how well he was running against the Chiefs defense. After some time to review the film, Head Coach Vance Joseph agreed that the lack of snaps for Freeman just isn’t cutting it.

“Royce the last two week is hitting his stride,” Joseph said on Tuesday. “He is playing at a high level. To watch him last night, obviously we’re blocking well up front, but he turned nothing into something. That’s Royce. That’s what he was in college. I’m looking forward to getting him more touches. He played about 16 or 17 plays last night, but he needs more opportunities because he is playing good football.”

While it would have been nice for the coaching staff to have recognized this reality during the game, better late than never works too as the team hits the road to face a shaky New York Jets team.

Freeman had 67 yards on just 8 carries against the Chiefs and is 44 for 219 for 5.0 yards per carry on the season. It certainly looks like he should be getting more than 8, 13, and 8 carries over the last three games.