ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Because he went undrafted and is diminutive in stature, Phillip Lindsay will probably always have to show it again.
Yes, the running back went from 53-man roster underdog to featured back to 1,000-yard rusher as a rookie last year. But he also suffered a serious wrist injury in game 15 that required surgery and kept him out of team practice this season.
Will the Broncos back off his touches this season as way to preserve his 5-foot-8, 190-pound frame for the long haul? Or can Lindsay re-earn trust as the Broncos’ No. 1 running back again this year?
"You got prove it every year," he said. "In this league, it stands for Not For Long, but you’ve got to make it as long as you can. And that’s by grinding every day.
"For me, it’s about going out there and earning this coach’s respect. The whole coaching staff. My running back’s coach (Curtis Modkins) knows what I can do but it’s about earning coach (Vic) Fangio, coach (Rich) Scangarello – all their respect.
"And I will do that. That’s the type of person I am. I’ll never run away from anything."
First, things first. Lindsay has to get cleared for full, 11-on-11 practice.
It seems obvious he could be – he’s doing all the position drills and his wrist brace goes on and off – but the medical staff is taking precaution. If there was a game Sunday, Lindsay may well be cleared to play.
But it’s early June so why practice? Fangio said Lindsay would be ready to practice by the start of training camp next camp.
"Any injury is frustrating," Lindsay said. "I’m anxious to be out there with my teammates. I see Book and Royce putting in a lot of work, and I want to be out there with them. I like the grind. I like being tired. I like the sweat, the blood, the tears. That's what I'm here for, so I can't wait to get back to that."
