ENGLEWOOD—Ronnie Hillman is on the bubble.
The Denver Broncos’ leading rusher last season, Hillman is not only competing with rookie Devontae Booker for the No. 2 running back behind C.J. Anderson this year, but with Kapri Bibbs for the third, and perhaps final, tailback spot on the 53-man roster.
“Ronnie is in a battle,’’ said Broncos’ head coach Gary Kubiak. “He’s in a hell of a battle with Kapri and Booker right now. There’s no way around that. I’m just being honest with you.
“Special teams will be really important. Ronnie is going to play a lot this week and he’s going to play some special teams, so it’s a very competitive situation.”
Hillman’s value to the Broncos since he was selected in the third round of the 2012 draft has been as a speed back. He rushed for a career-most 863 yards last season, but gave way to Anderson in the postseason.
Hillman hasn’t been asked to fill much of a special team’s role primarily because outside of returner, there aren’t many jobs for a player who is 5-foot-10 and 200 pounds.
A free agent this offseason, Hillman had several teams express interest but he wound up re-signing a one-year, $2 million deal with the Broncos that guaranteed $600,000 in signing and workout bonuses.
Meanwhile, the Broncos re-signed Anderson to a four-year, $18 million contract that guarantees him $6 million this year and $3 million in 2017.
Hillman split No. 2 tailback reps with Booker during practice Monday.
