A former Broncos tormentor could help replace Javonte Williams

Six years ago, Latavius Murray helped end the Broncos’ 5-run of division titles by trampling them one night in Oakland. Two years ago, Murray scored twice as the New Orleans Saints ran over the QB-less Broncos in the “Kendall Hinton Game.”

And now, Murray will wear the uniform of the team he dominated.

The #Broncos are signing RB Latavius Murray off the #Saints’ practice squad, per source.

With Javonte Williams out for the season, Murray now joins Melvin Gordon and Mike Boone in the Denver backfield.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 4, 2022

The Broncos plucked Murray off the Saints’ practice squad, and will add him to their 53-man roster in place of Javonte Williams, who will head to injured reserve after tearing ligaments in his right knee.

The 32-year-old Murray has bounced around over the last few seasons. Following a three-year stint (2014-16) in Oakland, he spent two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings before joining the Saints in 2020. He played for the Baltimore Ravens in 2021, then returned to the Saints’ practice squad this year.

Sunday, he played for New Orleans, picking up 57 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries in its loss to Minnesota.

But one thing that has been steady and proficient is his work against Denver. In eight career games versus the Broncos, Murray amassed 6 touchdowns.

One defining aspect of Murray’s career is consistency. He’s averaged at least 4.0 yards per carry in seven of his previous eight seasons. Last year, he averaged 4.2 yards per carry for Baltimore; the year before, he had a 4.5-yards-per-carry pace for the Saints.

He also has a low fumble rate. Murray has just nine career fumbles in 1,517 total touches — an average of 1 every 168.6 attempts.

If “ball security is job security,” as Brock Osweiler once said, Murray could quickly find a substantial role waiting for him in Denver as the Broncos pick up the pieces without Williams.

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