Is C.J. Anderson finally loosening his grip on the Denver Broncos' starting running back job?
After Ronnie Hillman finished with a Broncos season-high 103 yards in Week 4, coach Gary Kubiak changed gears, acknowledging that he now considers both backs as starters.
Per NFL Media's James Palmer, Kubiak plans to split the reps "50-50" going forward because Hillman has earned more playing time.
Kubiak added that Hillman was the offensive player of the game in Denver's nail-baiting victory over Minnesota, praising not just the running but also the fourth-year back's work in pass protection.
Thanks to Hillman's 72-yard touchdown run, the Broncos finished with 144 rushing yards, nearly matching their total of 171 in the first three games.
Kubiak has given Anderson every opportunity to turn his disappointing season around, as Hillman has outplayed the starter at every turn going back to the preseason opener in August.
At the same time, Hillman lacks the more sluggish Anderson's size and physicality for inside runs and clock-killing situations.
From a fantasy football angle, expect Kubiak to take a hot hand approach in the coming weeks.
