Broncos Release Running Back Royce Freeman

Though they've had success running the ball in the thin air of Colorado, the Denver Broncos plan to release running back Royce Freeman sometime this week, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.

Freeman and the Broncos are probably both anxious to find a trading partner, but it's unlikely that any team is going to rush to give Denver much of anything after it became public that he was going to be released.

Freeman actually showed some pop this preseason, but it's a logjam at the Broncos' running back spot. Rookie second-round pick Javonte Williams and free agent addition Mike Boone are two players on the Broncos roster who have likely pushed Freeman out the door.

There's little doubt Freeman will do better with a fresh start anyway. He's still only 25 years old and could be a useful piece for another team that might have been hit with injuries or just poor play thus far this preseason.

Freeman's career in Denver wraps up with him carrying the ball 297 times for 1,187 yards and eight touchdowns. He also caught 69 balls for an additional 409 yards and a score.