Ronnie Hillman is now the Broncos’ most trusted running back.
Who would have thought that after the Broncos’ final preseason game at Dallas? Hillman and cornerback Kayvon Webster fell ill after that game and stayed back for medical treatment while the rest of the team flew home.
Hillman wound up missing a couple days of preparation and the season opener against Indianapolis. His hard work and encouraging play during the offseason practices, training camp and first three preseason games seemed wasted.
“I wasn’t worried about that,” Hillman said. “I didn’t have the luxury to. I had to get back in the game and get back going.”
Only four weeks later, there was a period in the third quarter Sunday when Hillman seemed to be the Broncos’ only healthy available running back.
Starter Montee Ball left with a groin injury that could be serious. C.J. Anderson was inactive. And rookie Juwan Thompson went down in the first quarter with a knee injury suffered on special teams.
“It’s about timing and opportunity,” Hillman said.
After Peyton Manning and the Broncos’ offense opened up the passing game, Hillman took advantage of a softening Arizona defense. He rushed for 65 yards in the second half on 14 carries. The rookie Thompson came back late in the third quarter and he was strong on an 8-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter.
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“I’m proud of Juwan,” Hillman said.
Ball is expected to miss a couple weeks but the Broncos’ running game should be fine, especially if the offense continues to pass first and let the pass set up the run. Hillman might start in the Broncos’ next game Sunday against the New York Jets in New Jersey with Anderson and Thompson as his backups.
“I’m ready for anything,” Hillman said. “If that’s what the plan is and God willing I get to start next week, then I’ll do the job the best I can and go from there.”
Mike Klis: mklis@denverpost.com or twitter.com/mikeklis
