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The Denver Broncos have reportedly placed Phillip Lindsay on injured reserve as they running back is dealing with a knee and hip issues. He was initially ruled out on the team’s Friday injury report, but they made the move to injured reserve today. With two games to go, they decided to shut him down for the season and roll with Melvin Gordon for the remainder of the season.
Lindsay, 26, has been a pleasant find for the Broncos since picking him up as an undrafted free agent in 2018. After rushing for over 1,000 yards and scoring 10 total touchdowns as a rookie he received a Pro Bowl nod. He followed up his rookie campaign with another 1,000 yard season and 7 touchdowns.
His role as the team’s featured back changed significantly as he split carries with free agent acquisition Melvin Gordon all throughout 2020. Despite missing three games earlier in the season and the final two upcoming games, he still rushed for over 500 yards on the season. Though he struggled down the stretch averaging 2.45 yards per carry over last four games, while Gordon has averaged 5.70 yards per carry in those same games despite having similar workloads.
Lindsay will enter the 2021 offseason as a Restricted Free Agent, which means the Broncos could resign him. However, with Gordon’s emergence late this season it could cloud Lindsay’s future with the team.
In a corresponding roster move, the Broncos have elevated undrafted free agent rookie running back LeVante Bellamy from the practice squad.
Broncos are calling up RB LeVante Bellamy to the 53-man roster per source. He'll replace Lindsay on roster. Undrafted rookie Bellamy has played in 3 games this year, but is still looking for first NFL carries. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) December 26, 2020
Bellamy was the MAC Offensive Player of the Year and first team all-conference as a senior after rushing for 1,472 yards and 23 touchdowns. He will be looking for his first NFL carry over the next two weeks.