Tag: alex palczewski

Broncos injury report: 2 starting linemen ruled out vs. Chargers

Broncos right tackle Alex Palczewski (ankle) and center Luke Wattenberg (ankle) have been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Chargers.

The Denver Broncos have ruled out two starting offensive linemen for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Broncos right tackle Alex Palczewski and center Luke Wattenberg are both out with ankle injuries this week. Matt Peart (right tackle) and Alex Forsyth (center) are expected to fill in against the Chargers. To add more depth, Denver also signed tackle Cam Fleming and center Dieter Eiselen to the practice squad earlier this week.

“We have a lot of confidence in the guys that are filling in,” offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said Thursday. “Alex was right there with the center battle during training camp, and obviously he and Bo [Nix] have a good relationship. That’s always important with centers and quarterbacks. Peart’s been someone that we’ve been impressed with since he’s been here. We’re going to battle it out, and we have confidence in those guys.”

Elsewhere on offense, Broncos wide receiver Josh Reynolds (hand) has also been ruled out. That could mean Devaughn Vele’s return to the game-day roster this week.

View the team’s final injury report below.

Player Injury Wed Thur Fri Game Status
RB Audric Estime Ankle Full Full Full Questionable
CB Damarri Mathis Ankle Full Full Full Questionable
DE Zach Allen NIR – Rest Limited Full Full
DE John Franklin-Myers Shoulder Limited Full Full
WR Josh Reynolds Hand DNP DNP DNP Out
OT Alex Palczewski Ankle DNP DNP DNP Out
C Luke Wattenberg Ankle DNP DNP DNP Out

Denver running back Audric Estime (ankle) and cornerback Damaris Mathis (ankle) are eligible to return from injured reserve this week and they could be activated to the 53-man roster as soon as Saturday. Broncos right tackle Mike McGlinchey (knee) will be eligible to return from IR next week.

Denver’s game against Los Angeles will be regionally televised on CBS. Despite playing at home with a three-game winning streak, the Broncos are considered underdogs against the Chargers this week.

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Broncos vs. Chargers: 5 things to watch for in Week 6

The Broncos are set to host the Chargers on Sunday. Here are five storylines to keep an eye on leading up to the game.

The Denver Broncos (3-2) are set to host the Los Angeles Chargers (2-2) in Week 6 of the 2024 NFL season on Sunday afternoon. Here’s a quick list of five storylines to keep an eye on leading up to the AFC West showdown.

1. The next next man up at right tackle: After losing Mike McGlinchey to a knee injury, the Broncos turned to Alex Palczewski at right tackle and he played very well before suffering an ankle injury. Palczewski is believed to have suffered a high ankle sprain, which could make him a candidate for injured reserve. McGlinchey will be eligible to return from IR next week, but Denver will need a one-game fill-in against the Chargers. Matt Peart is the most likely candidate. The Broncos also have Frank Crum on the active roster and veteran Cam Fleming on the practice squad.

2. Devaughn Vele’s potential return at wide receiver: After leading the team with eight catches in Week 1, Vele injured his ribs and has not played since his debut. Vele has not appeared on the injury report in recent weeks so it seems that he has recovered. Josh Reynolds missed the last two days of practice with a hand injury and if Reynolds is not able to play on Sunday, Vele seems likely to return to the lineup.

3. A new center: Palczewski isn’t the only lineman battling an ankle injury this week. Starting center Luke Wattenberg has also been sidelined, which likely means Alex Forsyth is set to make his first NFL start against Los Angeles. Forsyth played with Bo Nix in college, so he already has existing chemistry with the rookie quarterback.

4. Joey Bosa’s uncertain status: The Chargers’ star pass rusher missed the last two days of practice with a hip injury, putting his status in doubt for Week 6. Denver’s banged-up offensive line would benefit from not having to face Bosa, who has 7.5 sacks in 12 career games against the Broncos.

5. Bo Nix against the NFL’s best defense: Putting aside an abnormal rain game against the Jets (67.9) two weeks ago, Nix’s passer rating has otherwise been trending up this season from 47.5 to 55.2 to 85.0 to 117.2. He’s now set to face a huge test when he goes up against an L.A. defense that ranks No. 1 in points allowed this season (12.5 per game). Nix has not had a single turnover during the team’s three-game winning streak and he has done a good job of eluding sacks. If Denver’s going to keep the streak going, Nix will need another strong performance against a tough Chargers squad.

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Broncos injury report: Ankle injuries decimating offensive line

Broncos right tackle Alex Palczewski (ankle) and center Luke Wattenberg (ankle) missed practice again on Thursday.

The Denver Broncos‘ offensive line has been hit hard by ankle injuries.

Denver terminated the contract of backup offensive tackle Will Sherman on Wednesday, reaching an injury settlement with the practice squad player after he suffered an ankle injury in practice last week.

Sherman wasn’t the only lineman battling an ankle injury.

Broncos fill-in starting right tackle Alex Palczewski and starting center Luke Wattenberg are also nursing ankle injuries and they missed practice again on Thursday after previously being held out on Wednesday.

If Palczewski and Wattenberg are not able to play against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 6, Matt Peart (right tackle) and Alex Forsyth (center) are the most likely candidates to start in their places.

Denver added depth on the line by signing tackle Cam Fleming and center Dieter Eiselen to the practice squad earlier this week.

Meanwhile, Broncos wide receiver Josh Reynolds (hand) was also held out of practice again today. View the team’s complete Thursday injury report below.

Player Injury Wed Thur Fri Game Status
RB Audric Estime Ankle Full Full
CB Damarri Mathis Ankle Full Full
DE Zach Allen NIR – Rest Limited Full
DE John Franklin-Myers Shoulder Limited Full
WR Josh Reynolds Hand DNP DNP
OT Alex Palczewski Ankle DNP DNP
C Luke Wattenberg Ankle DNP DNP

Some good news on the injury front: Denver running back Audric Estime (ankle) and cornerback Damaris Mathis (ankle) are eligible to return from injured reserve this week. Broncos right tackle Mike McGlinchey (knee) will be eligible to return from injured reserve next week.

Denver will practice again on Friday before releasing a final injury report with game statuses for Sunday’s showdown with the Chargers.

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Broncos injury report: 2 starting offensive linemen sidelined

Broncos RT Alex Palczewski (ankle) and C Luke Wattenberg (ankle) did not practice Wednesday.

The Denver Broncos‘ offensive line has been hit hard by injuries.

Broncos fill-in starting right tackle Alex Palczewski and starting center Luke Wattenberg both suffered ankle injuries against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. Palczewski and Wattenberg were held out of Wednesday’s practice.

If Palczewski and Wattenberg are not able to play against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 6, Matt Peart (right tackle) and Alex Forsyth (center) would likely be the next men up.

Denver added depth on the line this week by signing tackle Cam Fleming and center Dieter Eiselen to the practice squad on Tuesday.

Broncos wide receiver Josh Reynolds (hand) was also held out of practice Wednesday. View the team’s complete injury report below.

Player Injury Wed Thur Fri Game Status
RB Audric Estime Ankle Full
CB Damarri Mathis Ankle Full
DE Zach Allen NIR – Rest Limited
DE John Franklin-Myers Shoulder Limited
WR Josh Reynolds Hand DNP
OT Alex Palczewski Ankle DNP
C Luke Wattenberg Ankle DNP

On a positive note, Denver running back Audric Estime (ankle) and cornerback Damaris Mathis (ankle) have opened their 21-day windows to return from injured reserve.

Broncos right tackle Mike McGlinchey (knee) will be eligible to return from injured reserve next week.

Denver will practice again on Thursday and Friday before releasing a final injury report with game statuses for Sunday’s showdown with the Chargers.

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Broncos place practice squad OT Will Sherman on injury list

The Broncos placed OT Will Sherman (ankle) on their practice squad injury list on Tuesday.

The offensive line injuries keep coming for the Denver Broncos.

The Broncos placed backup offensive tackle Will Sherman (ankle) on the team’s practice squad injury list on Tuesday, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. The injury happened during practice last week.

Sherman (6-4, 300 pounds) joined the Broncos in 2022 after previously competing on the practice squad of the New England Patriots in 2021. He spent last season on Denver’s practice squad and is yet to make his NFL debut.

The Broncos also lost fill-in starting right tackle Alex Palczewski and starting center Luke Wattenberg to ankle injuries this week. Denver signed tackle Cam Fleming and center Dieter Eiselen to the practice squad to add more depth while Palczewski and Wattenberg are sidelined.

Broncos right tackle Mike McGlinchey (knee) will be eligible to return from injured reserve next week. In the meantime, Matt Peart (right tackle) and Alex Forsyth (center) are likely the next men up on the offensive line.

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Broncos bringing back familiar face at offensive tackle

After losing right tackle Alex Palczewski to an ankle injury, the Broncos are signing veteran Cam Fleming to their practice squad.

After losing right tackle Alex Palczewski to an ankle injury against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, the Denver Broncos are bringing back a familiar face to provide more depth on the offensive line.

The Broncos are signing veteran swing tackle Cam Fleming to their practice squad, according to a report from KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. Fleming (6-5, 320 pounds) worked out for Denver last month after the team lost Mike McGlinchey to a knee injury.

McGlinchey will be eligible to return from injured reserve next week. In the meantime, Matt Peart will likely be the next man up at right tackle if Palczewski is not able to play against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 6.

Fleming, 32, played for the Broncos from 2021-2023, splitting time between right tackle and left tackle. He started 20 games in three seasons.

Palczewski and center Luke Wattenberg both suffered ankle injuries against the Raiders. Denver coach Sean Payton was not forthcoming when asked about the offensive line injuries on Monday.

“We’ll see how the week unfolds relative to our own guys,” Payton said.

NFL Network reported on Sunday that Palczewski is believed to have suffered a high ankle sprain. If that report is accurate, Palczewski might be a candidate for a four-game stint on IR.

The Broncos are also set to sign wide receiver Kaden Davis to its practice squad this week. Denver will have to make a pair of corresponding moves to make room for Fleming and Davis on the 17-player practice squad.

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Broncos OT Alex Palczewski believed to have suffered high ankle sprain

Alex Palczewski likely has a high ankle sprain. Mike McGlinchey has to sit out one more game before being eligible to return from IR.

Denver Broncos right tackle Alex Palczewski is believed to have suffered a high ankle sprain during Sunday’s 34-18 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, according to a report from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Palczewski (6-6, 314 pounds) will undergo more testing on Monday. If it is indeed a high ankle sprain, Palczewski could miss multiple weeks. That would be a big blow to Denver’s offensive line as ‘Palco’ has done an excellent job filling in for Mike McGlinchey, who is still on injured reserve.

“Very impressed,” Broncos offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said when asked about Palczewski on Friday. “We talked about it last week. This guy started and I think he set a record for most games played in college. He just knows how to play the game. I think we kind of anticipated that he’d be able to hang in there and be productive.

“You don’t know for sure until you really see the live bullets and he’s kind of lived up to those expectations. It’s fun to watch when you have a guy that’s [a] late draft pick or a free agent who are able to come in and compete at that level and compete well. It’s very exciting.”

If the Broncos place Palczewski on IR, he would have to sit out at least four games. McGlinchey, meanwhile, will be eligible to return in Week 7 against the New Orleans Saints.

In the meantime, Matt Peart is presumably the next man up against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 6, assuming Palczewski won’t be available.

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Broncos right tackle Alex Palczewski filling in well for Mike McGlinchey

Broncos right tackle Alex Palczewski filled in well for an injured Mike McGlinchey last week. He’s set to start the next three games.

After losing starting right tackle Mike McGlinchey to a knee injury, the Denver Broncos turned to second-year lineman Alex Palczewski.

Palczewski performed well in his first NFL start against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Denver’s offensive line kept quarterback Bo Nix clean. The offense moved the ball efficiently and Nix did not take any sacks in a 26-7 victory.

Palczewski spent six years at Illinois, ending his college career with an FBS-record 65 starts. Broncos coach Sean Payton believes that extensive college experience has helped the lineman quickly adjust to playing in the NFL

“Pretty good, pretty good,” Payton said this week when asked how Palczewski looked on film against the Bucs. “Really well. First start. He did a lot of things well. He’s smart. He’s played a lot of football games. So we’re fortunate to have someone with, I know it’s not pro experience, but you felt it in the game.”

Joe Lombardi, Denver’s offensive coordinator, echoed Payton’s assessment.

“[He looked] really good,” Lombardi said. “He’s a little bit like Bo [Nix]. He’s one of those guys that had a ton of starts in college. He’s an experienced guy. It’s a phrase that gets thrown around, ‘He’s a football player.’ He’s a guy that knows what he’s good at, where his limitations are, and he’s one of those players that especially sticks out on the offensive line where they know how to play according to the opponent they’re facing, according to the talents that they have.

“He’s just one of those guys that doesn’t just go out there and play. He’s got a plan and that comes from the experience he’s had in college and a year in the program. We have a lot of confidence in him. I think he played very well on Sunday, and I think he had a lot of fun.”

Palczewski will make his second career start against the New York Jets on Sunday. New York’s defense features edge rusher Will McDonald, who has totaled five sacks through the first three games of the season. After passing his first test in Week 3, Palczewski will face a tougher test in Week 4.

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Broncos’ offensive line was excellent on Sunday

The Broncos’ offensive line did not allow any sacks on Sunday as Bo Nix was kept upright in a convincing win over the Bucs.

The Denver Broncos‘ defense harrassed Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield on Sunday, finishing the game with seven sacks and two takeaways. While Mayfield had a rough day at the office, Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix was kept clean by Denver’s offensive line.

Nix was not sacked once — thanks in part to his own pocket awareness — and the offensive line played well despite losing right tackle Mike McGlinchey to a knee injury last week. Alex Palczewski filled in on Sunday and he performed well, helping Denver’s offense have its best game of the season.

“[W]e had protection, we had a really good plan relative to getting in and out of some audibles,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said after a 26-7 win. “Bo handled it really well. We were going to have answers if [pressure] came. … [The Bucs] are counting on takeaways, they are counting on sacks, they are counting on disruption. We just had to do everything to prevent that.”

Mission accomplished.

The team’s interior offensive linemen — center Luke Wattenberg and guards Ben Powers and Quinn Meinerz — did not allow a single pressure, according to NFL Next Gen Stats (via the Denver Post‘s Ryan McFadden).

If he continues getting that kind of protection up front, Nix will be set up for success.

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Steelers signing former Broncos offensive tackle

The Steelers are signing former Broncos offensive tackle Calvin Anderson after losing Troy Fautanu to a knee injury.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are signing veteran offensive tackle Calvin Anderson, 28, after losing Troy Fautanu to a knee injury, according to a report from NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

Anderson (6-5, 305 pounds) entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of Texas with the New England Patriots in 2019. After being waived by the Patriots, Anderson was picked up by the New York Jets, who placed him on their practice squad to begin the 2019 season.

The Denver Broncos signed Anderson off the Jets’ practice squad to their active roster four games into the 2019 campaign. He went on to spend the next three seasons with the Broncos, serving as a backup swing tackle.

Anderson dressed for 41 games in Denver, earning 12 starts. After his contract expired with the Broncos in 2023, Anderson returned to the Patriots. He appeared in five games last fall, earning two starts. New England released him from injured reserve in August and Anderson will now get a fresh start in Pittsburgh.

After losing Mike McGlinchey to a knee injury, Denver brought in tackles Braeden Daniels and Cameron Fleming for workouts but did not sign either of them. Alex Palczewski started in the place of McGlinchey on Sunday and he played well, so the Broncos seem set at the position for now.

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