ROYCE FREEMAN NEWS

Team's leading rusher Week 12 Freeman registered 50 rushing yards on eight carries during Sunday's 31-3 loss to New Orleans.

Impact With quarterbacks Drew Lock, Brett Rypien and Jeff Driskel all unavailable because of COVID-19 concerns, Freeman entered Sunday's contest as the Broncos' No. 2 QB behind Kendall Hinton. Freeman was not asked to throw a pass during the game, though he did line up in the wildcat formation on a handful of occasions. His eight rush attempts versus New Orleans tied a season high, and he could remain the team's No. 2 running back Week 13 against Kansas City after Phillip Lindsay suffered a knee injury during Sunday's loss.

NOVEMBER 30, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Hill leads Saints to 31-3 rout of QB-challenged Broncos

Taysom Hill ran for two touchdowns and led the New Orleans Saints to a 31-3 rout of the Denver Broncos who were without any of their four quarterbacks over coronavirus concerns

NOVEMBER 30, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Fantasy Injury Updates: With Broncos QBs out, WR Kendall Hinton and RB Royce Freeman loom as potential Week 12 sleepers Drew Lock and the rest of the Broncos QBs are out because of COVID complications, and reports indicate WR Kendall Hinton and RB Royce Freema...

NOVEMBER 29, 2020 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

May see some QB work Freeman could play at quarterback in Sunday's game against the Saints following news that every Broncos' QB is in COVID-19 protocol, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.

Impact Freeman is the Broncos' emergency quarterback. The Broncos are also expected to elevate Kendall Hinton from the practice squad. Vinton played some quarterback in college before switching to wide receiver at the start of his junior year at Wake Forest. The Broncos will need to get creative under center, and perhaps Freeman will take snaps in a wildcat formation. He could see a bump in usage as a result, although it's tough to get a grasp on how things will ultimately shake out for the Broncos.

NOVEMBER 29, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Broncos News: Royce Freeman may start at quarterback against Saints Royce Freeman may be the Denver Broncos' starting quarterback on Sunday. Yes, you heard that right. The Denver Broncos do not have a quarter...

NOVEMBER 29, 2020 • PREDOMINANTLYORANGE.COM

When did the Broncos' Royce Freeman last throw a pass? Running back Royce Freeman is on the verge of becoming starting emergency quarterback Royce Freeman because the Denver Broncos’ four quarter...

NOVEMBER 28, 2020 • USATODAY.COM

AP sources: NFL DQs Broncos QBs for not wearing masks

The Denver Broncos are left with a practice squad rookie receiver and a backup running back to take snaps against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday after losing all four of their qu...

NOVEMBER 28, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

No QBs in Denver, no home for SF as COVID-19 sows NFL chaos

The Denver Broncos have no quarterbacks

NOVEMBER 28, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Broncos: Saints' Hill at QB both a blessing and a curse

The Denver Broncos see Taysom Hill at quarterback for the New Orleans Saints and consider that both a blessing and a curse

NOVEMBER 27, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

No touches in Sunday's win Freeman didn't record a touch in Sunday's 20-13 win over the Dolphins.

Impact Melvin Gordon and Phillip Lindsay operated as a true tandem, as Gordon logged 84 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries while Lindsay registered 82 yards on 16 carries. Freeman was left out as a result, playing just four snaps on offense. The workload will be divvied up in a similar manner as long as both Gordon and Lindsay are available moving forward.

NOVEMBER 24, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Tallies 26 yards Freeman ran for 11 yards on two carries and added two catches on two targets for 15 yards during Sunday's loss in Las Vegas.

Impact Box scores can be deceiving. On the surface, Freeman garnered as many touches Sunday as Phillip Lindsay and produced 24 more yards. In reality, three of Freeman's touches came during Denver's final drive of the game in a blowout loss. The third-year back remains a solid option in the passing game both as a blocker and receiver, a necessity given Lindsay's struggles in both areas. Sunday was not the beginning of a shift toward more Freeman in Denver's offense, however. Expect his work to be limited primarily to third downs Sunday against Miami, as his ability to pick up blitzes should be useful against an aggressive Dolphins defense.

NOVEMBER 17, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

One offensive snap against Falcons Freeman did not garner a single rush attempt or target during Sunday's 34-27 loss to the Falcons, fielding one offensive snap and 22 special-teams snaps.

Impact The third-year back has gone without an offensive touch in consecutive outings, after collecting 14 combined carries and four receptions over three outings between Weeks 4 and 7. With Melvin Gordon and Phillip Lindsay posing a formidable duo atop Denver's backfield, Freeman's offensive role figures to remain relatively remote in closely contested games. Freeman will slot in as the Broncos' third-string running back heading into a Week 10 matchup against the division rival Raiders.

NOVEMBER 11, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

No role with healthy RB room Freeman garnered no offensive snaps during Sunday's 31-30 win against the Chargers.

Impact The Oregon product got involved with 19 snaps as a member of the special-teams group, but he did not have any offensive role as Phillip Lindsay made his return from a concussion. Freeman had garnered at least one carry in all six of his appearances entering Week 8, but Lindsay (six rushes) and Melvin Gordon (eight) split the RB workload for Denver in a pass-heavy game script. The Broncos will face an Atlanta defense in Week 9 that just surrendered 147 rushing yards and one rushing score to Carolina on Thursday Night Football.

NOVEMBER 4, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Posts 17 scrimmage yards Freeman registered 12 rushing yards on three carries, adding a five-yard reception during Sunday's 43-16 loss to Kansas City.

Impact Freeman fielded 18 offensive snaps in Week 7, as Phillip Lindsay was forced to exit late in the second quarter because of a concussion. If Lindsay were forced to sit out Sunday's upcoming matchup against the Chargers' 14th-ranked rush defense, Freeman would once again be inserted into the No. 2 RB role as a complement to Melvin Gordon. Freeman garnered nine offensive touches Week 6 against the Patriots as Gordon sat out with a case of strep throat, meaning he could be in line for a similar workload against Los Angeles if Lindsay is unable to clear concussion protocol.

OCTOBER 27, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up 30 yards Freeman ran for 26 yards on eight carries and added a four-yard catch during Sunday's 18-12 win over New England.

Impact With Melvin Gordon out (illness), Freeman held onto the No. 2 RB job despite Phillip Lindsay's return to the fold and saw a season-high nine touches. He wasn't able to do much with them, however. Freeman is a solid pass protector and receiver, but he should return to the sideline Sunday against Kansas City assuming Gordon's health improves.

OCTOBER 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Gains 12 yards Freeman ran for six yards on three carries and added two catches for six yards during Thursday's 37-28 win over the Jets.

Impact Despite an offensive explosion -- by Denver's standards -- Freeman was not heavily featured as RB2. Melvin Gordon racked up 25 touches. Freeman remains a solid pass protector and receiver, but it's hard to see his role expanding in the near future as Phillip Lindsay (toe) may be ready for Week 5's matchup against New England.

OCTOBER 2, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Broncos RB Lindsay inactive, Jets WR Crowder returns

Denver Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay was ruled out for the team’s game against the New York Jets because of a foot injury suffered in the season opener

OCTOBER 1, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Gains 35 yards Freeman caught both of his targets for 31 yards and ran for four yards on two carries during Sunday's 28-10 loss to Tampa Bay.

Impact Freeman helped convert a third-and-long early in the third quarter with a big 28-yard catch-and-run, Denver's longest play of the game. He otherwise played a small supporting role in a Denver rush offense that could not kick into gear after falling behind early. His value heading into Thursday's matchup against the Jets rush defense depends on two things. First, the health of Phillip Lindsay (toe). Second, whether Brett Rypien, Jeff Driskel or even Blake Bortles can pass well enough to keep the Broncos' offense balanced and on schedule.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Quiet day against Steelers Freeman registered 20 rushing yards on three carries during Sunday's 26-21 loss to Pittsburgh.

Impact With Phillip Lindsay (toe) facing a 2-to-4 week absence, Freeman was not plugged into a comparable role against the Steelers. Though we haven't yet seen the Melvin Gordon-Lindsay dynamic fully unveiled because of the latter going down partway through the season opener, surely the 2018 Pro Bowl back would have been more involved than Freeman was Sunday. With the Broncos ranking in the lower half of the league in team rush attempts thus far in 2020 (26 carries per game), Freeman's upside is limited as the distant No. 2 to Gordon, especially given his sparse passing-game usage. Week 3 presents a challenging RB matchup as well, with the Broncos facing off against Tampa Bay's fourth-ranked rush defense.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Former Oregon Duck Royce Freeman expected to see more action with the Denver Broncos With No. 2 back Phillip Lindsay expected to miss time with a turf toe injury, Freeman could play more against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sun...

SEPTEMBER 18, 2020 • OREGONLIVE.COM

Nearly hits paydirt Freeman was unable to pick up any yardage on his one rush attempt, but he did collect 12 receiving yards on his lone catch during Monday's 16-14 loss to the Titans.

Impact Freeman was tackled just shy of the end zone on his fourth-quarter reception. The Broncos tried to dial up a goal-line touchdown run for Freeman on the subsequent play, but he was stopped for no gain before Melvin Gordon eventually punched in Denver's second TD of the night. Phillip Lindsay is set to undergo an MRI on what is believed to be a mild case of turf toe developed during Monday's game, but if he is inactive or limited Week 2, Freeman may see an uptick in usage against a Steelers defense that held Giants backs to an incredibly low seven rushing yards on 16 carries in its season debut.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Skagit Valley College hires athletic director MOUNT VERNON — Mitch Freeman has been hired as the new athletic director at Skagit Valley College.

JUNE 24, 2020 • GOSKAGIT.COM

Royce Freeman headed for 'irrelevancy’ with the Denver Broncos? The running back and former Oregon Ducks' star could be facing a reduced presence after the Broncos acquired Melvin Gordon.

MAY 14, 2020 • OREGONLIVE.COM

Three Best Fantasy Football Landing Sports for Royce Freeman The Denver Broncos added running back Melvin Gordon on Friday. With Phillip Lindsay also on the roster, there doesn't appear to be much work...

MARCH 20, 2020 • SI.COM

Broncos back Royce Freeman adds valuable skill to his game

Denver Broncos second-year running back Royce Freeman worked to refine his route running in the offseason so he could be more versatile

SEPTEMBER 20, 2019