DENVER, April 18 (UPI) -- Mike Anderson has become the latest veteran running back of the Denver Broncos to undergo knee surgery.
A team spokesman said Anderson, 29, underwent arthroscopic surgery Wednesday on his right knee to remove torn cartilage. His expected recovery time is 3-4 weeks.
Anderson played in 15 games and started 12 as the Broncos' fullback last season, rushing for 386 yards and two touchdowns on 84 carries while adding 18 receptions for 167 yards and two touchdowns.
He was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2000, and has rushed for 2,551 yards and 21 touchdowns on 556 carries in 47 games over the course of his three-year career. He ranks seventh on Denver's all-time rushing list, and has also caught 49 passes for 382 yards and two touchdowns.
Anderson was drafted by the Broncos out of Utah in the sixth round, 189th overall, in 2000. He hurt his knee during the team's offseason program last week, and is expected to miss its next minicamp, May 9-11.
He is the third of Denver's heralded trio of running backs to have knee surgery in the past two years. The others were Terrell Davis and Olandis Gary.
