ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - Denver Broncos running back Travis Henry's hamstring injury is healing slowly and the team doesn't expect the former University of Tennessee star to return to offseason workouts until next week.
When he does get back on the field, he'll find even more competition for snaps.
The Broncos agreed to a one-year deal on Tuesday with former Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Michael Pittman, agent Drew Rosenhaus told The Associated Press.
"There's a lot of ways Michael can help the Broncos," Rosenhaus said. "He can play fullback, halfback, he can catch the ball out of the backfield, return punts and return kicks. He's a versatile back."
Pittman, an 11th-year pro who spent his past six seasons in Tampa after four years in Arizona, rushed for 286 yards on 68 carries and caught 26 passes for 191 yards last season, when he missed six games with a high ankle sprain.
Rosenhaus said he's been in talks with the Broncos about Pittman since the start of free agency.
Henry's latest injury likely heated up those discussions.
Henry was hurt while running 100-yard sprints before the team's passing camp started last week and coach Mike Shanahan had hoped he'd return to drills on Tuesday.
"He can't go yet," Shanahan said after the workout. "Those hamstrings, you never know how long it's going to take, so I would say that chances are he'll be ready for the June camp. He will not be ready this week."
After three more workouts this week, the team returns for eight days of offseason drills over the first two weeks of June.
After signing a five-year, $22.5 million free-agent contract that included $12 million in guarantees, Henry had an injury-riddled season in Denver last year, when he rushed 167 times for 691 yards and four touchdowns.
He led the league in rushing after the first month of the season before leg injuries and off-the-field troubles took their toll. It came to light that Henry had fathered nine children with nine different women, and then he went to battle with the NFL, which wanted to suspend Henry for one year for violating its substance-abuse policy. The NFL eventually agreed it would not suspend the tailback, but he remains in the league's substance-abuse program and is subject to testing.
Selvin Young, Andre Hall and rookie Ryan Torain have been getting extra carries in his absence.
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Comments » 4
ncvol writes:
Best wishes for Travis. He was great at UT.Hope he mends quickly.
theoldbear writes:
I watched Travis play in high school at Frostproof, FLorida, and at UT and in the pros. I've followed Pittman's career at Tampa. (Yep, the old bear lives in the Florida swamps!)
While I deplore Travis Henry's recent behavior, I respect him as a player. If Pittman had his work ethic, he'd be All-Pro every year. Pittman never lived up to his potential with the Bucs, which is why the let him go.
Here's hoping that Travis hamstring heals, and that he mends his ways!
givehim6 writes:
Wish you never left the TITANS, it was great seeing your name on a Tennassee roster. Anyway hope and pray for a speedy recovery.
volchiq writes:
While I hated seeing him leave the Titans, maybe this proves that they dodged an injury riddled veteran by not ponying up the big money for him. As much as I loved watching him play while I was in school, he is about like me...he is starting to fall apart and it isn't as easy to put the pieces together when you get older. :)
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