Lammey: With knee brace off, Broncos Anderson’s timeline for return

The Denver Broncos haven’t been able to run the ball effectively since their Week 7 game against the Houston Texans. In that contest, running back C.J. Anderson had the most rushing yards in a single game this season, 107 yards on 16 carries with a touchdown.

It was his best rushing total this season, and he did most of it on an injured knee. After the game, doctors discovered Anderson had a meniscus injury that would require surgery. The recovery time knocked him out likely for the rest of the regular season with a chance he could return toward the end of the year.

And midway through December, there are positive signs about Anderson’s return.

Anderson took to Snapchat (cjandersonb22) on Tuesday to give an update on his rehab progress, saying that his knee felt good and he was walking without a brace.

And with rules regarding a players return from injured reserve, Anderson is eligible to return to practice this week, though a source says that, with the brace just coming off, the fourth-year pro might be a week or so away from actually stepping onto the practice field.

Ever since the injury, Anderson has told those close to him that he hoped to make a late-season return if possible and has been working to make a return to the field.

During his post-surgery recovery, Anderson said he was staying positive through the good days and bad days of rehab. The Broncos have cautiously brought Anderson back with the idea that he could return before the regular season is over — or for a playoff run.

At this time, the Broncos have six players on the injured reserve list. One of them can be the club’s “designated to return” player, and Anderson would be the most likely to get that distinction.

He is eligible to return in Week 16 against the Kansas City Chiefs, but, as Anderson pointed out on Twitter on Tuesday, that’s not his call.

Broncos fans can realistically expect Anderson to be back Week 17 against the Oakland Raiders. If Anderson can return at that time, it would provide a huge boost to an integral part of the offense that has been missing for weeks.