The Denver Broncos will lose first team running back Montee Ball for the rest of the preseason after he underwent an appendectomy Monday.
ESPN reports that Ball is scheduled to come back before the Broncos season opener against the Indianapolis Colts on Sept. 7.
Running backs Ronnie Hillman and CJ Anderson are excepted to take Ball’s snap during the rest of the preseason, according to the AP.
Ball went on Twitter to thank everyone for their thoughts and wishes.
I appreciate the get well wishes everyone! I will be ok and come back stronger than ever!! #Broncos
— Montee Ball (@ballrb28) August 4, 2014
According to Broncos head coach John Fox, Ball started feeling ill yesterday and then came back today and was not in good shape. He also added that they caught it early and that his appendix did not explode or getting any worse.
Coach Fox told the AP that while it is a big loss to lose Ball for the preseason, it will let younger backs prove there worth.
“You hate to see anything happen to a player, whether it’s an illness or an injury on the field, but sometimes when a door shuts, another door opens,” Fox said. “So it’ll give us a chance to get those young backs in there and hopefully they can grow and progress.”
Last season, Ball rushed for 559 yards on 4.7 yards per carry as the back up to Knowshon Moreno, who left the Broncos during free agency.