Denver RB Knowshon Moreno Arrested for DUI

Running back Knowshon Moreno #27 of the Denver Broncos is attended to on the bench late in the fourth quarter against the Oakland Raiders at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 12, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Raiders defeated the Broncos 23-20. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno was arrested last week on drunken driving charges in Denver, according to the Denver Post.  After losing his starting job to Willis McGahee during the 2011 regular season, Moreno suffered a torn ACL and was placed on injured reserve, ending his season.

With two years left on his contract, Moreno was already in a tough spot in Denver.  The Broncos may have been planning to move on from the twenty-four year old running back this off-season due to his lack of production in recent years.  An arrest certainly compounds the situation.

Moreno was pulled over on Feb. 1 while driving a Bentley at around 70 mph on Interstate 25 near Quincy Ave. and Union Ave. The posted speed limit in the area is normally 65 mph, but is currently posted at 45 mph because it is a construction zone.

Police gave Moreno a breath test and a field sobriety test, and took Moreno to a detox facility. He was charged with DUI, failing to have insurance and careless driving.

“We take the incident involving Knowshon Moreno very seriously, and are thoroughly reviewing this matter,” the Broncos said in a statement Monday. “Our organization will continue to gather information and closely monitor this issue while the legal process takes it course.”

If the Broncos do retain Moreno, it is likely that they will also bring in at least one other running back to compete for playing time next season.  With McGahee the starter and Moreno a possible third-down option, the Broncos will be looking for running back depth through the draft and free agency.

A 2009 first round draft pick, Moreno has started in 24 games over the past three years and rushed for 1,905 yards and 12 touchdowns.  Before his injury last season, Moreno had found a nice role in Denver’s offense as a receiving option out of the backfield, catching eleven passes for 101 yards and a score. Moreno has 76 catches for 686 yards and six touchdowns in his career.

It would be nice if our Broncos could say out of the news for these types of occurrences.  Be smart, Broncos players, be smart.

Broncos’ Knowshon Moreno arrested for DUI [Denver Post]