Peyton Manning: 'Denver Broncos are counting on Montee Ball'

Peyton Manning has revealed that Montee Ball features heavily in the Denver Broncos' plans for the 2013 NFL season.

The AFC West champions used their second-round Draft pick to acquire the 22-year-old running back.

The team's quarterback told USA Today: "We're just kind of going through plays, going through games, getting him comfortable hearing audibles at the line of scrimmage, because we are going to count on him in a big way this year. He's a rookie, but coach [John] Fox isn't going to bring him along slowly.

"I can tell you Ball [and rookie tackle Vinston Painter] have been studying their playbooks and not playing much golf, which is a good thing."

Willis McGahee led the Broncos in rushing in 2012, with 731 yards and four touchdowns.