Montee Ball's stay on the Denver Broncos' final 53-man roster didn't last 24 hours.
The team announced it waived the running back Sunday, along with center Gino Gradkowski after they were awarded center James Ferentz and tight end Mitchell Henry off waivers.
The running back cleared waivers on Monday making him a free agent.
The 2013 second-round pick tentatively made the roster Saturday evening, but his spot was far from assured after a disappointing preseason in which he was clearly behind C.J. Anderson, Ronnie Hillman and Juwan Thompson in the pecking order.
On Saturday, Broncos VP John Elway said Ball was "in the top 53 in our mind," when explaining that the running back made it through final cuts.
Given Sunday's move it would appear that Ball was No. 52 or 53 on that final list.
As a former second-round pick, Ball never lived up to the hype, compiling 731 yards in two seasons in Denver. He played in just five contests in 2014 due to injury. Anderson, an undrafted free agent, showed much better flash, consistency and upside as a first-and-second-down back.
Even with his struggles, Ball should garner interest from some clubs. The Atlanta Falcons reportedly are interested in him, according to The Denver Post. He did average 4.7 yards per carry on 120 totes as a rookie. The 24-year-old ought to find a role in a running back committee. It just won't be in Denver.
