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          NFL Nation

          Montee Ball has first full practice since Oct. 5 injury

          • Jeff Legwold, ESPN Senior WriterNov 12, 2014, 03:45 PM ET
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              Jeff Legwold is a senior writer who covers the Denver Broncos and the NFL at ESPN. Jeff has covered the Broncos for more than 20 years, joining ESPN in 2013. He also assists with NFL draft coverage, including his annual top 100 prospects. Jeff has been a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Board of Selectors since 1999. He has attended every scouting combine since 1987.
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          ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – With Ronnie Hillman now out at least two to three weeks with a left foot sprain, it is a good time for Montee Ball to be back in the Denver Broncos’ rotation at running back.

          Ball, who practiced on a limited basis last week and was then held out of the Broncos’ 41-17 win Sunday over the Oakland Raiders, took part fully in Wednesday’s practice and looks on track to be uniform for Sunday’s game against the St. Louis Rams. It was the first time Ball had participated fully in practice since he suffered a right groin injury Oct. 5 against the Arizona Cardinals. The Broncos practiced, as is their custom on Wednesdays, in full pads.

          The team also used its sparkling new indoor facility for the first time Wednesday as the temperature outside the team’s complex in south suburban Denver was minus-2 degrees when practice began.

          “Was tremendous," said Broncos head coach John Fox. “ … We’ll evaluate that tomorrow and see if we’re back in there. It’s a great facility; they went the full distance on this."

          Tight end Virgil Green (calf) and linebacker Nate Irving (knee) also did not participate. Left tackle Ryan Clady (groin) took part on a limited basis, but is expected to practice for the remainder of the week and play against the Rams.

          Ball’s return comes at a good time not only for him – he’s a St. Louis-area native, so Sunday’s game is the first time he will play there as an NFL player – but for the Broncos as well. Hillman has the team’s only two 100-yard rushing games this season.

          “[Ball] was out there practicing a week ago, made good progress," Fox said. “He practiced [Wednesday]; it went well."

          Ball had been the starter at the time of his injury, but Hillman, and C.J. Anderson this past weekend, have been the backs to give the offense some spark. Anderson gained 163 yards of total offense in Sunday’s victory at Oakland, including a 51-yard catch-and-run reception when he broke several tackles.

          For his part, Ball has said he is down to 212 pounds from the 224 pounds he weighed at the time of his injury and said he feels “faster, quicker to the hole. I think people will see a difference."