(Sports Network) - The Denver Broncos have cut running back J.J. Arrington after he reportedly failed a physical.

Denver head coach Josh McDaniels confirmed the move on Thursday.

"We wouldn't have signed him if we didn't hope we could have had something turn out with the injury. But it just got to the point that we realized and he realized that it wasn't going to work out for him this year with the injury," McDaniels told the team's website.

The Denver Post is reporting that Arrington will need season-ending microfracture surgery on his right knee. He underwent a procedure on the same knee in the offseason.

Arrington and the Broncos agreed on a four-year deal in March for a reported $10 million to serve as Denver's third-down back. The 26-year-old was to be part of a complete overhaul of the Broncos' backfield this season, joining fellow newcomers Correll Buckhalter, LaMont Jordan, Darius Walker and 2009 first-round draft pick Knowshon Moreno.

The lone holdovers from last season are Ryan Torain and Peyton Hillis, who led the team with a meager 343 yards and five touchdowns on 68 carries. Torain missed the first two-plus months of the season after suffering ligament damage in his left elbow during training camp and appeared in just one game before suffering a season-ending left knee injury in Week 9.

Gone are Michael Pittman, Selvin Young, Tatum Bell and Andre Hall. All but Bell missed time last season with significant ailments and ended the year on injured reserve.

Arrington spent the past four seasons with the Cardinals, who made the California product their second-round selection in 2005. He rushed for a career-high 370 yards and two touchdowns in his rookie season and spent the past three years as a third-down back for the reigning NFC Champions.

In 58 career games, Arrington has rushed for 654 yards and three touchdowns to go with 693 receiving yards and two scores on 91 grabs.













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