The Broncos received more bad news on the injury front Monday. Peyton Hillis will miss the remainder of the season with a torn hamstring. Head Coach Mike Shanahan announced during his Monday press conference that Hillis’ injury will take eight weeks to heal, forcing the rookie rusher to be placed on injured reserve.
For fellow rusher Cory Boyd, this means he is getting his opportunity. Shanahan said that the team will be elevating Boyd from its practice squad.
Boyd said getting his opportunity by way of Hillis’ injury is bittersweet, but that he is looking forward to making the most of it.
“I am just thankful that God has placed me with this team — to be able and go out and do these types of things,” he said. “Unfortunately there had to be a lot of injuries for me to get here. But Peyton has carried the team for a good while. Every running back that has been called upon after injury has stepped up and done everything they have needed to do.”
Boyd said Hillis made a special point to approach him and tell him to make the most of whatever opportunity he gets — just as Hillis had done when given his opportunity due to injuries.
“Peyton even came to me yesterday after the game and said, ‘This is God’s will — it happened for a reason.’ It brought a tear to my eye,” Boyd said. “He is a good player, he is team player.”
Shanahan said Boyd’s potential playing status would depend on how fast he picks up the offense, but added he is a talent the Broncos always had their eye on.
“He is a guy that we liked out of South Carolina,” Shanahan said. “We talked to him early in the seventh round and we were hoping that he would not get drafted because we liked a lot of the things he did. When he was released by Tampa Bay and we had some injuries, we brought him back as quickly as we could. He looks good.”
-Jake Grilley, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: Cory Boyd, Jake Grilley, Mike Shanahan, Peyton Hillis
OK. Lets get it done C-B
Dang Hillis was my boy since the preseason. If you want to make a name for yourself Boyd now is the time. They need you.
It doesn’t matter who we’ve got in the backfield, we have the system, but the most impresive thing about Hillis was how fast learned it.
GO BRONCOS !!!!!!!!!!
Damn hillis seemed like he had it going on. Anyways there are some postives about this we are going to have a alot a depth at the running back position next season .as i look at it depth wise you have torian, hillis, young, bell, alridge, boyd. That seems to me that next are running is primed to brerak out. Torain started to show flashes in his first and only game. Hillis looks to be a stud. young i not so sold on he’s just like bell but bell has that speed. alridge i like as a change of pace back dude can fly from what i saw in training camp and preseason. that my two cent’s
All I can say again is that even though this is a bittersweet chance for Boyd, the guy deserves a chance just like everyone else.
I strongly believe Hillis will come back even better and stronger next season and just give it his all. He will come back healthy and I can’t imagine anyone else starting in his place. He has earned his chance to be a starter. Like Hillis said up there, there is a reason why all this happened to just keep believing and don’t let go of the faith you have in this team to keep up their improving and good work.
- Mile High Salute – to you Hillis. God Bless you #22
GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!
Here is my prediction for next monday’s article:
Boyd Placed on Injured Reserve, Broncos to hold open tryouts Tues.
Where else can you go from sitting on your couch, to starting RB in the NFL in 2 weeks, then BACK to sitting on your couch in the same amount of time. To hell with a 1000yd back this season. I would like to see a Broncos RB make it to 200yds without getting placed on IR. This RB situation has gone from “Rediculous” to damn near comical. At least it is easier to throw RB’s in there than it is to be like the Jets a few years ago starting when Pennington and his backup went down.
I hope this Cory Boyd does good things for us. (But I hope his alma mater South Carolina gets crushed in the Outback Bowl)
With all the injuries some guys that you don’t even know who they were a week ago can make a name for themselves. Hillis, he was just a rookie FB, Larsen, he was just a rookie, FB/MLB/ST. Josh Bell, Josh Barrett and a plethora of other young guys that are rookies or not quite as well known as some. This says something about he character of our players and the coaches to recognize effort and give guys a chance. Sometimes they may not step up, but I think that our guys have. So with that in mind I don’t doubt that Boyd will step up and contribute some big time offense for us.
Go Broncos!!!!! Hillis thanks for bringing back the Mile High Salute.
Q Griffin?
Man, I gotta get in shape if I’m gonna be starting next week at RB when Denver holds they’re open tryouts. Nahhh, That’d be too much work to get in shape, learn the offense, and fly all the way to South Carolina just to play 1 drive before blowing my knee out. Good luck Cory, you won’t start, so all I’m asking out of you is about 50 yds. Don’t worry, Tatum will take the bulk of the carries. Who knows Jay just might knock J. Peppers out when he lowers his shoulder, lol. And don’t worry about blocking the blitz even though Tatum can’t either. Those little tiny lineman in front of you are the best PASS BLOCKING O-LINE in the league! 7 sacks baby!!!
Prediction,
Jay Cutler- 256 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Eddie Royal- 8 CTH, 91 yds, 1 TD
Tatum Bell- 3 RSH, 15 yds, placed on I/R
Cory Boyd- 8 RSH, 32 yds, placed on I/R
Jimbo (Random drunk Broncos fan)- 1 RSH, 1 TD, Ejected from game when chugging a beer and proceding to spit it on ref while giving the “MILE HIGH SALUTE”
lol, GO BRONCOS!!! and GO JIMBO!!!
Cory, best of luck to you, make the most out of your chance, may God Bless you and keep you.
what about tatum…shanny must hate that guy
I know this sucks but people you are forgetting young is still here and he is close to coming back. If anything this year has taught us is that the Broncos are a special group. They have been hit hard with the injury bug and threw it all they have managed to be on top of the division and on there way to the playoffs. Sundays game just shows us that they are getting better they could have easly gave up like so many other games this year nut they got the win. my point is don’t get down on another RB going down be happy with the progress of the team.
is he out for the postseason too?
haha q griffin. i loved that kid when he came out, we should find him again. dude was like 4ft tall
goatmaster, he is out until next season….. Anytime you tear a hamstring it will take a very long time to recover. Hate to be the bearer of bad news.
I really liked Hillis. I am completely perplexed by what has happened with the Denver Broncos RB core. Tatum Bell, it was nice to see a glimpse of the old Tatum Bell. However I believe in his prime that big run he had would of went all the way.
Let’s hope he stays healthy.
Any word on the Status of Champ Bailey?
I have liked quite a few of our RBs this year.
- i called it before the draft that Denver was gonna release Travis Henry
- i was happy when the Broncos brought in Anthony Alridge
- i knew Selvin Young was gonna start
- i liked Michael Pittman when they brought him in
- i like Peyton Hillis as a RB but he’s a good blocker so next year start him at FB and use him like Mike Alstott
- i THINK Tatum Bell will do well these last few weeks
- i THINK this Boyd kid has some potential, at least in Denver
- i THINK and PRAY no more Denver players go on IR this season
oh and i think Champ is coming back this week but i am uncertain
i think DJ and possibly Nate might be back from injuries too
This is sad! once again one of our guys goes down and on an amazing play at that. can’t believe he held onto the ball. Hillis is a stud and i still he comes back next year as a multi role player, you’ll see him lined up as FB/TB/TE/and WR. this guy has so much talent. what i love most about him is that he brought back the Mile High (TD) Salute. gotta love a guy who does that. Peyton you are a class act and i wish you a fast recovery.
Now lets see what this boyd kid can do. as long as we get someone in there who can get some yards and who is able to open up the playaction we will be fine. one more win and we take the West, no matter what San Diego does. i’d love it to be against the Panthers.
Good Luck this week guys.
GO BRONCOS!!!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why Hillis?
i really hope that who ever takes over continues the mile high salute, its been really nice to see that the past few weeks. good luck with your rehab hillis, we are lucky to have a player as valuable as you.
Hillis your in my prayers my brother. Get well soon….West Coast
Cory Boyd will do well for us. Hillis speaks of faith and I have faith that any tailback with any ability can have great success in our magnificent system. The return to the Carolinas will be successful for Boyd! I hope that Champ’s back so he can shut down Steve Smith. Aqib Talib and his secondary mates in Tampa were no match for #89, but facing Champ will be a different story. I wonder how the media will regard us after we beat the Panthers…
Here’s hoping Peyton has a speedy recovery, and I’m looking forward to seeing him next season! T. Bell is good, and S. Young is a great RB if he’s healthy again (I hope he’s back next week), but we need a power back like Hillis. I wonder where Mike Anderson is…
Dear Broncos Nation,
I really loved everything about Hillis and the way he played. Not only did he bring back the Mile High Solute (which was great to see) but he ran with determination and never gave up on a play. Carolina is gonna be a very tough game, especially seeing how they man-handled the Bucks highly rated defense. But from what I’ve seen so far this season we play our best ball against solid teams. With Cutler at QB and our line playing the way it has, I really think we have a shot at going all the way this year. Champ will be back for the playoffs, and I really don’t care if DJ comes back, seeing the Woodyard has been playing. We have all the weapons a good team needs and the character to utilize them. We are going to be a scary team to see in the run for the superbowl. If we keep playing the way I know we can I don’t see any reason we can’t go all the way.
Your’s Truly, 21DieHardBroncoFan21
GO BRONCOS!!! I BLEED ORANGE!
Hillis I think he should get a chance next year sorry to lose him! Weclome back T. Bell (who will start this week)not often you get a second chance–Rip it up!!!Cory Boyd is for real he will be good if he can learn quick! Also is pope returing soon? And young should stay out Till the dolts come to town to Tune up for the playoffs.
i really think hillis should get the chance to be the starting RB nexy year. He is a tank and is the one cut back that the broncos love. Yea we can still use him as FB/TE. As for this year, our running game will be fine. Tatum can carry a load as long as he holds onto the ball, and when selvin comes back we willl really b in business(that kid is a home run threat at all times). Also the D is really stepping up at the right time. I cant wait to c us shut down Steve smith and the Panthers!!!! lets get busy boys!!!
BRONCO FANS RELAX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#1 This team has guts! PERIOD!
#2 With our FANTASTIC! offense of line, Tatum will do an excellent job! Tatum still has the speed and cuts. Did you guys see him double up the defender with the juke in the open field Sunday?
#3 Cory is a very good RB, give him a couple of weeks to pick up the flow and speed and good things are going to happen with him and Tatum
#4. Uuuhhh, oh yeah that Cutler guy will carve any defense up. I know Pittsburgh has the #1 defense but they haven’t went up against the #1 or #2 offense either. Good luck with that!
LASTLY, WE’RE NOT A RUNNING TEAM ANYMORE. ALL WE NEED IS A RUNNING GAME GOOD ENOUGH TO KEEP THE DEFENSE SOMEWHAT HONEST! TATUM AND CORY CAN DO THAT, WHEN THAT HAPPENS JAY WILL LET IT RIDE!
Not worried at all!
GO GET EM’ BOYS!
YOU’RE DIVISIONAL CHAMPS! SOON TO BE A SUPER BOWL CHAMP!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uKGrBJdWk4
i like this kid he seems to be a good player!!
Hillis was a great combo of speed and power with a strong goal line presence. Id like to see him Torain and Alrige in the mix for next year. Good luck guys!
Hillis will be missed but you gotta give Cory a chance.We have had pretty good luck with guys coming off the practice squad and tearing it up.Defense:your’re hanging in there keep it up…Hopefully we’ll be fine guys……
good luck tatum, you don’t need 4 yds a carry, just average it with a couple big runs on sunday. Shanny will find ways to get you the rock in open space and I see you being the X factor next week. carolina will underestimate you and play the pass. F the media, its your time to shine
Broncfalls: We still need one more win or a SD loss to be division champs. We need to win one of these next 2 games because we don’t want to face San Diego in SD if it is winner gets all. SD plays the Chiefs and Bucs, so hopefully they will lose. We should beat the Bills, but I am interested to see how our D does against the Panthers. They have a great running game and Steve Smith. This will be a great opportunity to see how far the D really has come.
carolina will focus on the pass. and i think boyd will be real good for us. saw some youtube clips looks like the real deal. f the media, its your time to shine boyd. time to show why shanny wanted you in the draft. GO BRONCOS. beat the panthers
Selvin better get his ass off the bench or he will be selling cell phones next year and using tatum as a reference. I hope that we make some off season moves to sure up some positions and rb is one of them
To drunk bronco
No, Shannahan doesn’t hate Tatum, but the team needs backup depth, in
case of more injuries…..anybody calling Ron Dayne?
Seriously, we’re behind you Tatum and Cory!
Hey, Broncoboy2012… No offense but if you think Hillis is a better FB then HB, you are watching a different couple of past few games then most of us must have been. Hillis was originally benched a month back because of his blocking as a FB was not up to par.
However, when Ryan went down he became our last option at RB and he preformed extremely well, so well that Selvin Young was inactive this week even though he is now healthy in favor of Hillis. If Hillis is a FB next season and not at least our short yardage / goal line back I will be damned. The kid is a monster at running back, if you have been watching the same games as me you should have seen that. He literally jumped a dude in the miami game on a catch out of the backfeild. As long as Hillis comes back healthy he will definitely be a part of our RB rotation this year if not the major force in it. The kid can flat out play ball and he has the work ethic / attitude to do it also. Go watch some of his videos from this season on youtube and tell me he shouldnt be a RB with the ball in his hands often as opposed to a FB and just blocking.
Edit.. for some reason it says this is a duplicate but its not…
Live in Washington now!! Hope to be back in Colorado by summer.
I have a good feeling about the Cory and Tatum combo. Watched what videos I could find online, and I’m impressed by what I have seen so far. Just hope he has stayed in shape, and hope he can help this week against the Panthers.
Good luck Cory.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9W1h08tBdc
columbusOHbronco
we dont need to make offseason pick-ups at RB!!
just because their on IR doesnt mean their careers are over
Hillis and Torain, will be just as good or better that Stewart and Williams in Carolina next year!!
Those 2 guys are the future of this teams running game, and it makes me very excited