Broncos scrambling for a third running back

With starting running back Willis McGahee out, third year backs Knowshon Moreno and Lance Ball (pictured) could see a lot more carries. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

With starting running back Willis McGahee due to miss at least this week with a fractured hand, the Denver Broncos are left with just two backs on the active roster.

Third year running backs Knowshon Moreno and Lance Ball are expected to carry the load on Sunday against the Detroit Lions, but the team is looking for a third active back.

According to multiple reports, the Broncos worked out running backs Xavier Omon and Tyrell Sutton on Tuesday at the team’s facility in Dove Valley.  Denver hasn’t signed either of the two backs yet; a more likely scenario would be activating Jeremiah Johnson off of the practice squad.

Omon (5-11, 227 pounds), played under Broncos current running backs coach Eric Studesville in Buffalo from 2008-2009 and has since bounced around the league on practice squad units.  Active for seven games during his career, Omon has rushed 11 times for 27 yards.

Sutton (5-8, 213 pounds) played under Broncos current head coach John Fox in Carolina from 2009-2010.  He’s been active for sixteen games in his career and has rushed for 139 yards on 25 attempts.

Johnson (5-9, 210 pounds) has been active in one game for Denver this season but has yet to carry the ball in a regular season game.  Johnson was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2009 before going to play for the practice squads of the Washington Redskins, Carolina Panthers (with Fox) and finally the Broncos.  Johnson had an impressive preseason in August.

Expect the Broncos to sign or activate one of the three backs mentioned above by Saturday afternoon prior to Sunday’s game.