THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- J.J. Arrington's career with the Denver Broncos was halted before he even took his first handoff when the team released the tailback following a failed a physical due to a balky right knee.

Arrington signed a four-year deal worth about US$10 million in early March and figured to be a third-down specialist for the Broncos in 2009, a role similar to the one he played last season for the NFC champion Arizona Cardinals.

However, the knee has been giving him trouble since he had arthroscopic surgery soon after the Cardinals' loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl.

His agent, J.R. Rickert, said they're consulting with doctors to decide on the next move.

"We're doing our due diligence to get proper medical advice," Rickert said. "He's doing OK, a little disappointed under the circumstances. He was doing everything in his power to rehab his current situation."

Denver had a rash of injuries in the backfield last season, placing seven tailbacks on injured reserve.

The team kept adding depth in the offseason, bringing in veterans Correll Buckhalter, LaMont Jordan and Arrington. Denver also selected Knowshon Moreno with the 12th pick in the draft to bolster the backfield.

Broncos coach Josh McDaniels was hopeful Arrington could bounce back from the bothersome knee.

"It just got to the point where we realized and he realized that it wasn't going to work out for him this year with the injury," McDaniels said. "He was great for us when he was here, had a great attitude and great approach.

"Who knows, maybe we'll get another opportunity down the road."

That's something Arrington's camp would definitely consider.

"He had a great, albeit short, relationship with coach McDaniels," Rickert said.