Bell entered the 2006 NFL Draft

2006 NFL Draft

The 2006 National Football League Draft, the 71st in league history, took place in New York City at Radio City Music Hall on April 29 and April 30, 2006. For the 27th consecutive year, the draft was telecast on ESPN and ESPN2, with additional coverage offered by ESPNU and, for the first time, by...

, but went undrafted

Undrafted

An undrafted sportsperson or undrafted free agent is specific type of sportsperson who plays, or attempts to play, in a professional sports league without first being selected in a draft....

. He was signed as an undrafted free agent on May 8, 2006 by the Denver Broncos

Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...

.

Bell had a very strong training camp, and before the Broncos first preseason game, Bell was promoted to the starting

Starting lineup

A starting lineup in sports is an official list of the set of players who will actively participate in the event when the game begins. The players in the starting lineup are commonly referred to as starters, whereas the others are substitutes or bench players.The starters are commonly the best...

 tailback

Tailback

Tailback can mean:* Halfback * A line of motor vehicles caught up in traffic congestion; a traffic jam...

 position. This promotion shocked many, as it was presumed that either Tatum Bell

Tatum Bell

Tatum Antoine Bell is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft...

 or Ron Dayne

Ron Dayne

Ron Dayne is a former American football running back who is currently a free agent. He holds the NCAA record for career rushing yards, and he won the 1999 Heisman Trophy.-Early life:...

 would win the Broncos' starting job. However Tatum Bell ended up as the starter for the first regular season game, with Mike Bell also getting carries in a backup role.

During week 8 of the 2006 season

2006 Denver Broncos season

The 2006 Denver Broncos season began with the team trying to improve on their 13–3 record and make a return to the AFC Championship Game as they did in 2005.-Offseason:...

, in which the Broncos played the undefeated Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....

, Tatum Bell was taken out with a turf toe

Metatarsalphalangeal joint sprain

A metatarsalphalangeal joint sprain is an injury to the joint and connective tissue between the foot and one of the toes. When the big toe is involved, it is known as "turf toe".-Causes:...

.