Broncos running back Royce Freeman played just one drive in the team’s preseason game against the Seahawks on Thursday evening but he made the series count, gaining 50 yards on a single carry.
The second-year running back credited his offensive linemen and fullback Andy Janovich for opening up a big running lane.
“Garett [Bolles] and Dalton [Risner] opened it up, then I ran behind Jano and got to the secondary level,” Freeman said after the game. “I tried to make a move. Next time. It was good to get out there and kind of break one.”
Freeman is poised to be a key part of Denver’s backfield this season that is expected to also feature Phillip Lindsay and Theo Riddick.
“Our backfield is very versatile,” Freeman said. “We got all types of different backs, but we can do a lot of things to make plays happen. Establishing the run game, especially with the o-line that we have, it sets the tone for a lot of things on our offense.”
Freeman and Lindsay combined to gain 68 yards from scrimmage against Seattle. The two backs will look to build on that total when Denver hosts the 49ers on “Monday Night Football” on Aug. 19.
