Broncos set to ride Boone, Gordon and Ozigbo with Murray likely inactive

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — “I think anything is possible,” Latavius Murray said Tuesday when asked about the possibility of playing this week.

But in the end, those possibilities won’t include him playing Thursday night.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Murray is likely to be inactive when the Broncos face the Indianapolis Colts.

Newly signed RB Latavius Murray, just poached off the #Saints practice squad, is expected to be inactive for the #Broncos tonight, source said. Just too quick a turnaround from London and with a new system. Expect him to play vs. the #Chargers.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 6, 2022

The Broncos plucked Murray off the Saints’ practice squad Monday in the wake of Javonte Williams’ season-ending injury. But getting him set for a short week was a difficult task.

First, he played last Sunday for the Saints as a practice-squad promotion, rushing for 57 yards and a touchdown. Second, the Saints played that game in London, which meant Murray took a trans-Atlantic flight overnight Sunday into Monday, then hurriedly packed and got to Denver for a walk-through Tuesday.

Then, of course, there are the myriad aspects of the system a running back must learn — particularly pass-protection calls and the route tree. It was a bridge too far for the 32-year-old back.

Without Murray, the running game will be in the hands of Melvin Gordon, Mike Boone and Devine Ozigbo. The Broncos are expected to activate Ozigbo from the practice squad for the game.

Gordon has four fumbles and two dropped passes so far this season and 45 total touches, including 8 receptions. Boone has two drops on four catchable passes and no fumbles — but just 5 total touches so far.

It has to get better when it comes to ball security.

But Murray — who has just one fumble in his last 872 touches — won’t be a part of the solution for another 10 days.

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