Tag: alex palczewski

5 takeaways from Broncos’ 26-7 win over Bucs in Week 3

The Broncos defeated the Bucs 26-7 on Sunday. Here are five quick takeaways from the upset win.

The Denver Broncos (1-2) upset the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1) with a 26-7 victory on the road in Week 3. Here are five quick takeaways from the win.

1. Pat Surtain continues to lock down WR1s: PS2 followed Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans for most of Sunday’s game and the receiver finished the day with just two catches for 17 yards. Surtain essentially took quarterback Baker Mayfield’s favorite target out of the game.

2. Tyler Badie needs more opportunities: Javonte Williams averaged a dismal 2.4 yards per carry and Jaleel McLaughlin was even worse with 1.4 YPC (although he did score with a really nice juke). Tyler Badie provided a huge spark in the second half with nine carries for 70 yards (including a 43-yard run). Badie averaged 7.8 YPC on Sunday and while his average might go down with more touches, he deserves more opportunities.

3. Alex Palczewski filled in well at right tackle: You didn’t hear Palczewski’s name much on Sunday, did you? That’s a great sign for the second-year lineman who is filling in for an injured Mike McGlinchey. ‘Palcho’ did not prove to be a liability as quarterback Bo Nix wasn’t sacked once and Denver’s offense finished the day with 352 net yards.

4. Denver’s defense came to play: That’s the kind of performance the Broncos’ defense is capable of when the offense builds a lead. Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield was sacked seven times and he threw an interception. The defense also forced and recovered a fumble. Traveling Denver fans also showed up and you could hear them chanting, “Defense! Defense!” in the fourth quarter. An excellent showing from the Broncos’ defense and the team’s fans in Tampa.

5. Bo Nix bounced back well: After struggling in his first two starts, Nix took a big step forward on Sunday. The rookie quarterback finished the game 25-of-36 passing for 216 yards with no sacks and no turnovers. He also rushed nine times for 47 yards and a touchdown. It was an excellent showing from Nix and a great sign of progress from the rookie quarterback.

Up next for Denver is another road game against the New York Jets in Week 4. The Broncos will practice in West Virginia leading up to that game.

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Alex Palczewski is the next man up for Broncos at right tackle

“We feel really strong about ‘Palcho’ and we’re moving forward,” Broncos quarterback Bo Nix said.

After losing Mike McGlinchey to an MCL injury for at least the next four games, the Denver Broncos are turning to Alex Palczewski as the next man up at right tackle.

“‘Palcho’ will take those snaps,” Broncos coach Sean Payton confirmed after Wednesday’s practice.

Palczewski (6-6, 314 pounds) signed with the Broncos as an undrafted free agent out of Illinois last year. After suffering a hand injury last summer, Palczewski spent most of his rookie season on injured reserve. He was activated for the team’s season finale but did not play in the game.

“It’s part of our league,” Payton said of losing McGlinchey. “Certainly Mike is a veteran. ‘Palcho’ is one of those guys that he’s been competing. We’ll be smart relative to what we’re doing protection wise, but he’s played in a lot of football games. I know he’ll be excited about his first start.”

Palczewski spent six years at Illinois, playing in 64 games. He won the backup right tackle job this summer and he made his NFL debut last week, playing the final two snaps of the game after McGlinchey went down with a knee injury.

“Yeah, that’s going to affect us, but it’s next man up and we feel really strong about ‘Palcho’ and we’re moving forward,” quarterback Bo Nix said Wednesday when asked about losing McGlinchey.

Palczewski is poised to make his first NFL start when Denver goes on the road to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3.

“Obviously, it’s a new guy and we have to make sure he’s hearing the calls and make sure that you bring him up to speed as best as you can and help him out and not leave him out to dry,” Nix said. “I think, especially ‘Palcho’ with his experience, he’ll do a really good job of keeping that o-line going and continue that trajectory of it going.”

Matt Peart and Frank Crum will serve as the team’s backup tackles behind Garett Bolles and Palczewski on Sunday.

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Broncos roster series: No. 63, OT Alex Palczewski

After spending most of last season on injured reserve, Alex Palczewski will compete for a backup spot on the offensive line this summer.

Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at second-year offensive tackle Alex Palczewski, No. 63.

Before the Broncos: Palczewski (6-6, 314 pounds) spent six years at Illinois, gaining an extra year of eligibility from COVID-19. He earned honorable All-Big Ten honors in 2018 and 2021 before being named a first-team All-American in 2022. Palczewski did not allow a single sack in his final season, ending his college career as a team captain with an FBS-record 65 starts. He started 49 games at tackle and 16 games at guard during his time with the Illini.

Broncos tenure: Palczewski was not picked in the 2023 NFL draft and opted to sign with Denver as a college free agent. After initially making the 53-man roster, Palczewski was placed on injured reserve with a hand injury. He was activated from IR for the team’s season finale but did not play in the game.

Chances to make the 53-man roster: Likely. The Broncos have Garett Bolles and Mike McGlinchey returning as their two starting tackles, but Palczewski seems likely to make the squad as a backup in 2024.

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Broncos signed 3 players after last year’s East-West Shrine Bowl

After playing in the 2023 East-West Shrine Bowl, OT Alex Palczewski, CB Art Green and DL PJ Mustipher later signed with the Broncos.

The 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl will be played in Texas tonight and the Denver Broncos will have scouts and coaches in attendance.

Broncos quarterbacks coach Davis Webb will serve as the West team’s offensive coordinator, giving him a great opportunity to get a close look at the draft prospects participating in this year’s college all-star game.

Last year, Denver signed three players who participated in the 2023 East-West Shrine Bowl as college free agents: offensive tackle Alex Palczewski (East), cornerback Art Green (East) and defensive lineman PJ Mustipher (West).

Palczewski made the initial 53-man roster but spent most of his rookie season on injured reserve before being activated for the final game of the year. Green spent most of the 2023 campaign on the practice squad before being elevated to the game-day roster in Week 18. The New Orleans Saints signed Mustipher off the Broncos’ practice squad last December.

To view the full roster of players participating in this year’s East-West Shrine Bowl, click here.

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Broncos made 5 roster moves ahead of 2023 season finale

Broncos placed Mike McGlinchey and Delarrin Turner-Yell on IR, activated Alex Palczewski from IR, promoted Art Green and elevated Devon Key.

The Denver Broncos made five roster moves this week ahead of Sunday’s season finale against the Las Vegas Raiders.

First, the Broncos placed safety Delarrin Turner-Yell on injured reserve after he tore his ACL against the Los Angeles Chargers. To provide more depth at safety after losing Turner-Yell, Denver elevated defensive back Devon Key from the practice squad to the game-day roster on Saturday afternoon.

Additionally, the Broncos placed right tackle Mike McGlinchey (ribs) on injured reserve. McGlinchey was ruled out on Friday. Denver is now set to start Cam Fleming at right tackle in Week 18.

To fill the two spots on the 53-man roster from Turner-Yell and McGlinchey going on IR, the Broncos promoted cornerback Art Green from the practice squad and elevated offensive tackle Alex Palczewski from injured reserve.

Key was a game-day roster elevation — Green and Palczewski were fully promoted to the 53-man roster. See the team’s roster moves below.

Broncos injury report: Nik Bonitto ruled out for Patriots game

The Broncos have ruled out OLB Nik Bonitto (knee) and TE Greg Dulcich (hamstring/foot) for Sunday’s game against the Patriots.

The Denver Broncos have ruled out pass rusher Nik Bonitto (knee) and tight end Greg Dulcich (hamstring/foot) for Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots on Christmas Eve.

With Bonitto sidelined, Drew Sanders and Thomas Incoom will likely serve as the team’s rotational pass rushers behind starters Baron Browning and Jonathon Cooper in Week 16.

Meanwhile, Adam Trautman, Chris Manhertz and Lucas Krull will be the team’s tight end options against the Patriots.

The team’s final injury report can be seen below.

Player Wed Thur Fri Game Status
OLB Nik Bonitto (knee) DNP DNP DNP Out
TE Greg Dulcich (hamstring/foot) DNP DNP DNP Out
RB Samaje Perine (rest) DNP Full Full
OLB Jonathon Cooper (ankle) Limited Full Full
OT Alex Palczewski (knee) Limited Full Full Out
DL Mike Purcell (rest) Not listed DNP Full
TE Chris Manhertz (rest) Not listed DNP Full

Playing at home, the Broncos are considered six-point favorites against the Patriots this week.

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Broncos injuries: Nik Bonitto still sidelined

Broncos OLB Nik Bonitto (knee) and TE Greg Dulcich (hamstring/foot) were held out of Thursday’s practice.

Denver Broncos outside linebacker Nik Bonitto (knee) missed practice again Thursday after previously sitting out Wednesday’s session. His chances of suiting up against the New England Patriots on Sunday seem slim.

Meanwhile, Broncos tight end Greg Dulcich (hamstring/foot) also remains sidelined. Denver coach Sean Payton said earlier this week that he expects Dulcich to play again this season, but the tight end does not appear to be trending toward playing in Week 16.

The team’s complete Thursday injury report can be seen below (DNP = did not participate).

Player Wed Thur Fri Game Status
OLB Nik Bonitto (knee) DNP DNP
TE Greg Dulcich (hamstring/foot) DNP DNP
RB Samaje Perine (rest) DNP Full
OLB Jonathon Cooper (ankle) Limited Full
OT Alex Palczewski (knee) Limited Full
DL Mike Purcell (rest) Not listed DNP
TE Chris Manhertz (rest) Not listed DNP

The Broncos will practice again on Friday before releasing a final injury report with game statuses for a Christmas Eve showdown against the Patriots.

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Broncos injuries: OT Alex Palczewski returns to practice

Broncos OT Alex Palczewski (hand) started his 21-day window to return from IR. Meanwhile, Nik Bonitto and Greg Dulcich are still sidelined.

Denver Broncos offensive tackle Alex Palczewski (hand) returned to practice Wednesday, starting his 21-day window to return from injured reserve. If the Broncos do not activate him to the 53-man roster within three weeks, Palczewski will be ruled out for the playoffs (if Denver gets in).

Palczewski (6-6, 314 pounds) impressed at training camp this summer, but he was placed on IR with a hand injury after the initial 53-man roster was set. The undrafted rookie out of Illinois now has a chance to provide depth on the offensive line as the Broncos attempt to make a playoff push.

Elsewhere on the injury front, outside linebacker Nik Bonitto (knee) and tight end Greg Dulcich (hamstring/foot) remain sidelined. The team’s complete Wednesday injury report can be seen below.

Player Wed Thur Fri Game Status
OLB Nik Bonitto (knee) DNP
TE Greg Dulcich (hamstring/foot) DNP
RB Samaje Perine (NIR/rest) DNP
OLB Jonathon Cooper (ankle) Limited
OT Alex Palczewski (knee) Limited

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

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8 Broncos players begin 2023 season on injured reserve

The Broncos have eight players on injured reserve going into Week 1. Three of them are eligible to return after four games.

After setting their 53-man roster and 17-player practice squad, the Denver Broncos are now set to face the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1.

In addition to the 70 players on the active roster and practice squad, the Broncos also have eight players on injured reserve, three of whom will be eligible to return to the team later this year.

Broncos wide receiver Tim Patrick (Achilles), inside linebacker Jonas Griffith (ACL), receiver Jalen Virgil (meniscus) and defensive lineman Forrest Merrill (undisclosed) are all out for the entire season.

Outside linebacker Christopher Allen (groin) also reverted to injured reserve after being waived with an injury designation and clearing waivers. Unless he reaches an injury settlement with the team, Allen will be out for the year.

Denver safety P.J. Locke (leg), offensive tackle Alex Palczewski (hand) and cornerback K’Waun Williams (ankle) all went on IR after the initial 53-man roster was set, which means they can return after four games. 

Here’s a quick look at the team’s players on IR going into Week 1.

Broncos made 6 roster moves on Thursday

After setting an initial 53-man roster on Tuesday, the Broncos made six more roster moves on Thursday.

After setting an initial 53-man roster on Tuesday, the Denver Broncos continued making roster moves on Thursday.

First, the team placed cornerback K’Waun Williams (ankle), defensive back P.J. Locke (leg) and offensive tackle Alex Palczewski (hand) on injured reserve. Those three players will now have to sit out at least the first four games of the 2023 season before being eligible to return to the active roster.

After placing those three players on IR, the Broncos re-signed defensive lineman Mike Purcell, cornerback Fabian Moreau and offensive lineman Quinn Bailey. Because they are veterans, those players did not have to pass through waivers after being cut by Denver on Tuesday.

See a recap of the team’s Thursday roster moves below.