Broncos released RB Lance Ball.

Ball's release means the Broncos will likely keep UDFA C.J. Anderson on the 53-man roster. None of his one-year, $1.323 million contract was guaranteed.

Broncos re-signed restricted free agent RB Lance Ball to a one-year, $1.323 million contract.

Ball, 28 in June, rushed 42 times for 158 yards (3.76 YPC) and one score last season, also catching seven balls for 61 yards. Ball is a plodding runner, but can pick up the blitz and play some special teams. The $1.323 million salary is not guaranteed. Ball will compete for a roster spot in training camp.

Broncos tendered restricted free agent RB Lance Ball at the original-round level.

Ball, 28 in June, rushed for 158 yards and a touchdown on 42 carries last season. He'll return no higher than the No. 3 or 4 running back under the $1.323 million tender.

Lance Ball was a healthy scratch in the Broncos' Week 15 win over the Ravens.

Ball has fallen behind Jacob Hester, who was signed off the street three weeks ago.

Lance Ball didn't touch the ball in Denver's Week 12 win over the Chiefs.

After Knowshon Moreno was surprisingly announced as the starter, the Broncos' expected three-man backfield in the absence of Willis McGahee never game to pass. Moreno was an every-down back. Although it's possible Ronnie Hillman's role will increase in Week 13, Ball can be safely ignored in all formats of fantasy.

Despite Willis McGahee's second-quarter knee injury, Lance Ball received only six carries for 35 yards and caught three passes for 21 yards in the Broncos' Week 11 win over the Chargers.

Ball was second in line for carries behind Ronnie Hillman (12). Ball has a lot less juice in his legs than Denver's third-round rookie, and is more of a plodding pass protector. Ball will only be worth picking up for desperate fantasy owners this week. Hillman projects as the Broncos' starter and primary ball carrier until McGahee returns. Denver faces Kansas City in Week 12.

Lance Ball rushed seven times for 16 yards in Denver's Week 3 loss to the Texans.

Ball lost a yard on his lone reception. Ball was called on for five carries after Willis McGahee left with a third-quarter rib injury, but gained a pathetic seven yards. With the Broncos facing a 1st-and-goal from the Texans' one-yard line with 4:02 remaining, Ball proceeded to lose five yards on two carries. Rookie Ronnie Hillman should be the better fantasy bet if McGahee is out for Week 4.

Lance Ball rushed twice for 14 yards in Denver's Week 1 win over the Steelers.

Ball was clearly third on the totem pole, seeing three fewer carries than backup Knowshon Moreno. That could change, however, after Moreno managed only 13 yards and struggled in pass protection. Neither player is a threat to Willis McGahee. Working his way back to 100 percent following a preseason hamstring injury, rookie Ronnie Hillman could be back in the Broncos' backfield mix as soon as next week.

Broncos RB Lance Ball exited Sunday night's preseason game against the 49ers with a rib injury.

Coach John Fox said after the game that the Broncos came out "pretty good" in terms of health of their roster. Lindsay Jones of the Denver Post also tweeted that Ball's injury didn't appear significant in the locker room. Ball has been the Broncos' No. 2 back all preseason, well ahead of Ronnie Hillman.

Lance Ball is listed as the second-team running back on the Broncos' first preseason depth chart.

Ball finished out last year as Willis McGahee's backup, averaging a healthy 4.2 YPC and showing well on passing downs. He's now ahead of rookie Ronnie Hillman and a rehabbing Knowshon Moreno. But if McGahee were to go down, the Broncos would likely employ a committee approach in the run game while leaning even more on Peyton Manning's arm.

Lance Ball began training camp as the No. 2 tailback behind Willis McGahee.

Ball earned the coaching staff's trust as a passing-down complement to McGahee late last season, so it's no surprise that he's ahead of Knowshon Moreno (ACL surgery) and raw rookie Ronnie Hillman. Size-speed project Mario Fannin, returning from an ACL injury of his own, also saw snaps with the second-team offense.

Broncos tendered exclusive rights free agents RB Lance Ball, P Britton Colquitt, and OT Chris Clark.

Ball closed out last season as the passing-down complement to Willis McGahee. The Broncos are expected to seek an upgrade for McGahee's running mate in 2012. Boosted by Denver's thin air, Britton graded out as Pro Football Focus' top-ranked punter last season.

Lance Ball rushed nine times for 24 yards in Denver's Week 17 loss to the Chiefs.

A typically plodding day for a back who's had trouble taking advantage of the Broncos' run-heavy attack this season. An impending exclusive rights free agent, Ball finishes 2011 with 96 rushes for 402 yards and 16 catches for 148 yards. Depending on how Knowshon Moreno's recovery from a torn ACL goes this offseason, Ball might not be brought back to back-up an aging and fragile Willis McGahee in 2012.

Lance Ball carried the ball 11 times for 64 yards and a touchdown in Week 15, adding two catches for 41 yards in Denver's loss to the Patriots.

Ball also lost a critical fumble. With Willis McGahee in-and-out of the game with a leg injury, Ball racked up his most yards of the season. Most of his damage came on two plays, a 32-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and 34-yard reception in the fourth. Ball is a load to bring down in the open field, but lacks the athleticism to get out in space on a consistent basis. He'll be a low-end RB2 if McGahee can't give it a go in Week 16.

Lance Ball carried the ball just one time for 13 yards in Denver's Week 14 victory, but added four catches for 37 yards.

Even though a banged up Willis McGahee could get nothing going on the ground, the Broncos gave Ball his fewest carries since Week 5. With just 25 total touches over his past four games, Ball can't be counted on as a weekly flex option in any format.

Lance Ball gained just 18 yards on five carries and added 26 yards on two receptions against the Jets in Week 11.

Ball and FB Spencer Larsen both carried five times while Jeremiah Johnson saw four touches, mostly on trick plays and pitches. Ball did make two nice plays on screen passes, but was mostly a non-factor. As long as Willis McGahee plays, Ball can't be trusted at San Diego in Week 12.

Lance Ball will function as the Broncos' No. 2 running back with Willis McGahee (hamstring) active against the Jets Thursday night.

Ball's fantasy potential takes a hit with McGahee not only active but in for a heavy workload, per inference from coach John Fox's comments. We can't bank on an in-game hamstring aggravation, so Ball's No. 35 ranking among fantasy backs for Week 11 will stick. He's merely a flex option.

Lance Ball confirmed that the Broncos are planning for a run-heavy game plan against the Jets regardless of Willis McGahee's (hamstring) status for Thursday night.

Coach John Fox deemed McGahee "day to day" after a very limited practice on Tuesday. Even if McGahee suits up, his hamstring isn't going to allow for a full workload. Ball has a chance for 15+ touches against the Jets, leaving him as a must-add on the waiver wire.

Lance Ball rushed a career-high 30 times for 96 yards in the Broncos' Week 10 win over the Chiefs.

With Willis McGahee (hamstring) and Knowshon Moreno (knee) leaving early on, Ball was the only back left to take on the oversized workload John Fox had dialed up. The Broncos ran 22 of their first 23 plays, and passed the ball just eight times on the night. Moreno has already been ruled out for next week, and Ball should be watched closely on the waiver wire until we know McGahee's status. The Denver O-Line is playing well and whoever takes the reins is bound to be a low-end RB2 play.

Lance Ball is expected to back up Knowshon Moreno in Sunday's game against the Lions.

With Willis McGahee (hand) out, Ball has been elevated to the No. 2 running back job. He's set for a fistful of touches, mostly in short yardage or clock-killing situations. The problem is that Tim Tebow figures to vulture the majority of goal-line work, leaving Ball as a desperation flex play only.