Joseph: ‘It’s going to take three or four guys’ at running back

The Denver Broncos went young at running back when they let C.J. Anderson go, but one rookie has stood above the rest this preseason in Royce Freeman. However, Head Coach Vance Joseph isn’t ready to let go of their running back by committee approach heading into the season.

“I’m not overly concerned about who is the lead guy,” Joseph said on Friday. “It’s going to take three or four guys and all three or four guys can make great plays on the ball and get some nice gains.”

Frankly, I think the Broncos could do a majority of it with just two guys. Both of them are rookies. Here’s how each running back has fared this preseason.

• Royce Freeman: 15 carries for 84 yards, 5.6 yards per attempt with 3 touchdowns. 1 reception for six yards.
• Devontae Booker: 9 carries for 33 yards, 3.7 yards per attempt. 1 reception for 10 yards.
• Phillip Lindsay: 13 carries for 70 yards, 5.4 yards per attempt. 4 receptions for 58 yards and 1 touchdown.
• De’Angelo Henderson: 14 carries for 50 yards, 3.6 yards per attempt. 5 receptions for 44 yards.
• David Williams: 14 carries for 36 yards, 2.6 yards per attempt. 4 receptions for 54 yards.

It just seemed to me that both Freeman and Lindsay are making the plays so far. Booker is still starting the games, but at what point do you give that ‘veteran preference’ for actual production?