Tag: guard

Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz declines being added to Pro Bowl

Broncos first-alternate guard Quinn Meinerz has declined being added to the AFC’s Pro Bowl roster as a replacement.

The Belly isn’t going to Orlando, of his own choice.

Quinn Meinerz, the Denver Broncos‘ first-alternate guard, was set to be added to the AFC’s Pro Bowl roster this week as a replacement player, but he “respectfully declined,” according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. This will presumably still count as a Pro Bowl nod on Mienerz’s resume even though he is not set to participate in the all-star festivities.

The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship game on Sunday, so guards Joe Thuney and Trey Smith have dropped out of the all-star game to focus on preparing for Super Bowl LIX. Meinerz was first in line to be added to the Pro Bowl as a first-alternate guard, but he turned it down.

Meinerz (6-3, 320 pounds) received the third-best grade (87.8) among guards from Pro Football Focus in 2024. He was also named a first-team All-Pro.

Meinerz would have joined cornerback Pat Surtain, pass rusher Nik Bonitto and returner Marvin Mims as Denver’s four representatives at the Pro Bowl. The AFC squad will be coached by Peyton Manning in skills competitions on Thursday, Jan. 30 and a flag football game on Sunday, Feb. 2.

The skills competitions will be televised on ESPN and the flag football game will be televised on both ESPN and ABC.

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Will Mike Caliendo play vs. Bills? Injury update for Chiefs OL

#Chiefs offensive lineman Mike Caliendo is dealing with a shoulder injury. Here are the latest updates. 

The Kansas City Chiefs might not be at full strength when they take on the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday. Veteran offensive lineman Mike Caliendo was listed on the Chiefs’ injury report this week, which could spell disaster for Kansas City’s front-five against Buffalo’s ferocious pass rush.

Is Caliendo likely to miss Sunday’s game?

Mike Caliendo injury update

Caliendo is dealing with a shoulder injury, but it has not affected his ability to practice with his teammates this week. He was a full participant in Kansas City’s drills on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and should be able to play in the Chiefs’ matchup against the Bills.

How long will Mike Caliendo be out?

After being a full participant in Wednesday’s practice, he is not expected to miss this crucial matchup with Buffalo.

Chiefs LG depth chart

The Chiefs will have to get creative to replace Caliendo if he needs to exit the field. He is starting in Joe Thuney’s spot while the veteran guard mans the left tackle position, so it isn’t clear who would replace Caliendo in an emergency situation.

Ex-Broncos offensive lineman gets another chance with Lions

Netane Muti’s injury-riddled career will continue after the Lions re-signed him this week.

Netane Muti’s injury-riddled career will continue.

After spending the 2024 season on injured reserve, the 25-year-old guard re-signed with the Detroit Lions earlier this week, the team announced.

Muti (6-3, 315 pounds) fell to the sixth round of the 2020 NFL draft due in large part to injury concerns. The Denver Broncos picked the Fresno State product in the second-to-last round of the draft, betting on his high upside.

He spent the first three years of his career with the Broncos, starting four games. Denver cut him ahead of the 2022 season and Muti went on to spend the next two years with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Muti signed a reserve/future contract with the Lions after the 2023 season and he was competing for a 2024 starting role before suffering a shoulder injury that landed him on IR.

Muti’s football career has been hindered by injuries including a torn knee ligament, a torn Achilles, a Lisfranc injury and the aforementioned shoulder injury. He will now aim to stay healthy and bounce back in Detroit next season.

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Sean Payton gives positive outlook on Quinn Meinerz’s Pro Bowl snub

Quinn Meinerz was snubbed by Pro Bowl voters this season, but Broncos coach Sean Payton believes they will make up for it down the road.

Despite being one of the best guards in football and earning first-team All-Pro recognition from the Associated Press in 2024, Denver Broncos lineman Quinn Meinerz was not voted to the Pro Bowl.

Earlier this month, Broncos coach Sean Payton suggested there would be a positive long-term outlook for Meinerz after the Pro Bowl snub.

“Here’s what happens: I’ve told Quinn this,” Payton said on Jan. 3. “I said the same thing to Jahri Evans. Jahri’s up for the Hall of Fame this year, he’s a finalist. [He was] an elite guard — elite — and he didn’t make it Year 2 — I’m not sure what year it was.

“I called him in, and I said, ‘You’re going to get slighted a year or two in the early part of your career, and then you’re going to have two that you really shouldn’t have gotten in that you get on the back end.’ The same thing will happen with Quinn.”

Evans went on to earn five All-Pro nods and six Pro Bowl selections during his time with the New Orleans Saints. A Super Bowl champion and a member of the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade Team, Evans is now a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Meinerz is a first-alternate for this year’s Pro Bowl, and he’s still only 26 years old. Payton believes the guard will have a long career ahead of him with many Pro Bowl selections in the future.

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Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz just triggered a big incentive

Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz just earned an extra $1.5 million after being named a 2024 All-Pro.

It pays to make the Associated Press All-Pro team.

After being named a first-team All-Pro on Friday, Denver Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz has triggered salary escalators for the 2026, 2027 and 2028 seasons, according to multiple reports. Meinerz is now set to earn an extra $500,000 in each of those three seasons.

So his All-Pro nod this year earned him an extra $1.5 million down the road. And if Meinerz earns more All-Pro nods in future seasons, he’ll earn additional incentives.

Meinerz received a league-high 22 first-team votes at guard, plus eight second-team votes. Meinerz was also named a first-alternate for the 2025 Pro Bowl. The 26-year-old lineman is widely considered one of the top guards in the league.

Meinerz was one of five Broncos players who earned All-Pro honors this season. Five other Denver players also received votes: left tackle Garett Bolles (nine votes), fullback Michael Burton (six), safety Brandon Jones (five), long snapper Mitchell Fraboni (four) and wide receiver Courtland Sutton (one).

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Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz delivered massive block vs. Chiefs (watch it here)

This is one of the best Quinn Meinerz blocks of the season!

During a blowout win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Denver Broncos star guard Quinn Meinerz delivered a massive pancake block to a helpless defensive back.

Meinerz started from his right guard position and pulled to the right to serve as a lead blocker for running back Jaleel McLaughlin on a run play. After an initial push knocked safety Nazeeh Johnson off balance, Meinerz finished the job by effortlessly tossing Johnson to the ground.

In a season full of pancake blocks for Meinerz, this one might be the best of the 2024 campaign:

Former NFL center Jeff Saturday highlighted the block during an episode of ESPN’s “Get Up” program this week:

Pro Football Focus gave Meinerz a 87.8 overall grade this season, third-best among guards. His pressure allowed rate (3.6%) was the best among right guards in 2024. Meinerz was named a first alternate for the 2025 Pro Bowl, and more accolades should be on the way.

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Broncos release final injury report: Ben Powers status update

Broncos guard Ben Powers (shoulder) has no injury designation for Sunday’s game. He’s good to go.

After sitting out Wednesday’s practice, Denver Broncos left guard Ben Powers (shoulder) was back at practice on Thursday and Friday.

Powers has no injury status designation on the final injury report, so he has been cleared to play against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Powers started all 17 games for the Broncos last season and the first 11 games this fall. He has been penalized four times and allowed one sack in 2024, according to Pro Football Focus.

Elsewhere on the injury front, wide receiver Josh Reynolds (finger) and linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles) have been ruled out. Denver’s top defensive lineman, Zach Allen (heel) is listed as questionable.

The Broncos’ final injury report can be seen below. DNP = did not participate.

Player Wed Thur Fri Game Status
DL Zach Allen (rest Wed/Thur, heel Fri) Limited Full Limited Questionable
DB Brandon Jones (abdomen) Limited Full Full
DB P.J. Locke (thumb) Full Full Full
WR Josh Reynolds (hand) Full Full Full Out
LB Drew Sanders (Achilles) Full Full Full Out
G Ben Powers (shoulder) DNP Limited Full

Sunday’s game will be regionally televised on Fox (view the TV map). The Broncos are considered the favorite despite playing on the road.

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Broncos release Thursday injury report: Starting guard back at practice

Good news — Broncos guard Ben Powers (shoulder) was back at practice today after sitting out Wednesday’s session.

After sitting out Wednesday’s practice, Denver Broncos left guard Ben Powers (shoulder) was back on the field Thursday on a limited basis.

Powers started all 17 games for the Broncos last season and the first 11 games this fall. He has been penalized four times and allowed one sack in 2024, according to Pro Football Focus.

Denver’s depth chart lists Calvin Throckmorton as the backup guard behind Powers. Other backup options include Alex Forsyth, Matt Peart and Alex Palczewski.

Elsewhere on the injury front, wide receiver Josh Reynolds (finger) and running back Tyler Badie (back) are eligible to return from injured reserve, but Badie has not yet returned to practice.

Denver’s complete Thursday injury report can be seen below. DNP = did not participate.

Player Wed Thur Fri Game Status
DB P.J. Locke (thumb) Full Full
LB Drew Sanders (Achilles) Full Full
WR Josh Reynolds (hand) Full Full
DL Zach Allen (NIR – rest) Limited Full
DB Brandon Jones (abdomen) Limited Full
G Ben Powers (shoulder) DNP Limited

The Broncos will practice again on Friday before releasing a final injury report with game statuses for Sunday’s showdown with the Las Vegas Raiders.

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Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz delivered huge blocks vs. Falcons

Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz dominated the Falcons on Sunday.

Denver Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz is a beast.

The 2023 Pro Bowl alternate continues turning heads as he delivers pancake blocks on a near-weekly basis with the Broncos.

Meinerz played a role in running back Javonte Williams’ team-effort touchdown run, and he also delivered two big blocks against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

In the third quarter, Meinerz blocked Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss down field, then he turned his attention toward lighting up Atlanta safety Jessie Bates. Those blocks helped wide receiver Troy Franklin score on a screen play to extend the lead to 28-6.

Here’s the play, courtesy of the team’s official Twitter/X page. Meinerz is the right guard, No. 77:

Meinerz delivered another pancake block on linebacker Nate Landman on a different screen pass:

Former NFL offensive lineman AQ Shipley reacted to Meinerz’s big block on Twitter/X:

Meinerz (6-3, 320 pounds) has clearly established himself as one of the best guards in the NFL, and he should earn his first career Pro Bowl nod this fall.

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Broncos sign guard/center to 53-man roster ahead of Ravens game

After using up his practice squad elevations, the Broncos fully promoted offensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton to the 53-man roster.

The Denver Broncos promoted guard/center Calvin Throckmorton from the practice squad to the 53-man roster on Friday, the team announced.

After losing center Luke Wattenberg to an ankle injury, the Broncos elevated Throckmorton from the practice squad to the game-day roster for each of their last three games, which is the maximum number of elevations a player can have in a single season.

With Wattenberg still one week away from being eligible to return from injured reserve, Denver has fully promoted Throckmorton to the active roster so he can serve as the team’s backup center against the Baltimore Ravens behind fill-in starter Alex Forsyth.

Once Wattenberg returns to the active roster (perhaps as early as next week), Throckmorton might be a candidate to get bumped back down to the practice squad.

To make room for Throckmorton on the 53-man roster, the Broncos released veteran fullback Michael Burton on Friday. Burton is expected to re-join the team on the practice squad on Saturday.

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