Juwan Thompson

Ronnie Hillman will be the Broncos' starting tailback Sunday against the New York Jets. He's never started previously, much less had a workhorse-type game.

C.J. Anderson and Juwan Thompson figure to be used too.

"I'm going to do what they tell me to do," Anderson said. "If I get a chance to carry the ball, I'll carry it. Protect Peyton, keep him on his feet, because Rex is going to bring a lot of things."

Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning may face his share of coach Rex Ryan- ordered blitzes from the Jets. Picking up those blitzes will be the first responsibility for Broncos running backs. Then it's carrying the ball, catching it and protecting it.

Thompson missed the Broncos' full-padded practice Wednesday because of a knee injury. But after receiving a full week's treatment from the training staff the rookie will play against the Jets.

"Yeah, I'm out there," Thompson said. "Plan for best-case and worst-case scenario. You never know what's going to happen with the depth chart."

While no one expects Hillman to carry the load against the Jets, the use of backs behind him seems up in the air too. However Hillman owners should expect to see all three backs play, which will obviously cut into Hillman's fantasy production. It's a tough matchup on paper for the Broncos running game, but remember Branden Oliver of the Chargers lit them up last week. However the point is Hillman owners who start him in lineups should expect to see Anderson and Thompson on the field as well.