NFL Rumors: Denver Broncos claim running back Justin Forsett off waivers

The Denver Broncos have had a mostly lethargic running game this season, and adding Justin Forsett may help.

The Denver Broncos went home Sunday with a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, but it was no thanks to an offense that put up just 206  total yards and 13 points. Rookie running back Devontae Booker scored a touchdown in the game, but the Broncos are in the bottom half of the league in rushing offense and Booker has particularly struggled in recent weeks. Backup Kapri Bibbs emerged from Sunday’s game with a left ankle injury, and with C.J. Anderson already out running back depth is becoming a concern.

On Monday, as they try to stay in the mix for a playoff spot, the Broncos made a move to try to spark their running game.

Forsett played three games for the Baltimore Ravens this season, with 31 carries for 98 yards, before being cut after Week 4 and landing with the Detroit Lions. He appeared in just two games with the Lions, totaling 13 carries for 38 yards, and he had been a healthy scratch in recent weeks. Over the weekend, the Lions finally deemed Forsett disposable by waiving him.

He will reunite with head coach Gary Kubiak in Denver, which may explain the move from the Broncos’ side. Forsett had the best season of his career in 2014 (1,266 rushing yards, eight touchdowns, 5.4 yards per carry), which was Kubiak’s lone season as Baltimore’s offensive coordinator between head coaching jobs.

Next: Updated NFL standings, playoff picture: Week 13

Forsett is not your typical 31-year-old running back, with just 777 career carries, so any real concerns about substantial physical decline can be set aside. A crash course on the playbook from Kubiak may be coming this week, and Forsett could push himself into a workload split with Booker as soon as Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.