Broncos Release RB Travis Henry

The Denver Broncos released RB Travis Henry today.

This shouldn't have been a surprise. Henry was among the NFL leaders in rushing after 3 games last season, proving for a small period that he was a great fit in Denver's scheme. Injuries then struck, along with the odd positive marijuana test that he somehow beat, and he found himself sharing the football with upstart rookie Selvin Young towards the end of the season. This should be about the end of the line with Henry, who hasn't been durable since the early portion of his career, and is also one strike away from a 1 year ban.

Fantasy Impact: Denver has earned an unfair reputation recently about RBBC's, but that mostly stems from the Tatum Bell disaster, and then Henry's situation last season. Prior to Tatum Bell, the Broncos were a 1 RB workhorse team, using Terrell Davis, Mike Anderson, Olandis Gary, and Clinton Portis as their primary ballcarrier for numerous seasons, producing a fantasy stud each season at the position. Mike Shanahan long wanted Tatum Bell to win the job, but due to a combination of injuries, fumbles, and the propensity to wear down after 12-15 carries, Bell never emerged as the guy. Last year Travis Henry was expected to become the next Denver workhorse, but he also wore down and then suffered from character issues as well.

Selvin Young is now the undisputed #1 RB in Denver. Young has also claimed that he wants to rush for 2,000 yards this season. However, Shanahan has commented that he isn't sold on Young being a 300 carry RB. Young has bulked up and added strength this offseason, adding 7 pounds of muscle to stand at 6'0/212. That's still thin for a 6 foot frame, but it's better than last year. Given Young's struggles in short yardage situations, Ryan Torain will probably be given a chance to work his way into a short yardage/goal line role. Whether or not Young earns short yardage work with his new strength will go a long way in determining his fantasy value heading into this season.