Broncos open window for 2 starters to return from injured reserve

The Broncos have opened the 21-day window for OT Mike McGlinchey (MCL) and OLB Baron Browning (foot) to return from injured reserve.

The Denver Broncos opened the 21-day window for two starters to return from injured reserve on Tuesday.

Broncos right tackle Mike McGlinchey (MCL) and outside linebacker Baron Browning (foot) returned to practice on Tuesday, which started their three-week window to return to the active roster.

If McGlinchey and Browning are not activated within the next 21 days, they will remain on injured reserve for the rest of the season. Both players seem likely to be activated before the deadline, but it remains to be seen if they will be activated in time for a Thursday Night Football showdown with the New Orleans Saints on Oct. 17.

McGlinchey will likely immediately return to starting at right tackle once he returns. Browning, on the other hand, might be a rotational pass rusher because Nik Bonitto has played so well across from Jonathon Cooper.

The Broncos also opened the three-week window for cornerback Damarri Mathis (ankle) to return from IR last week, so he is a candidate to return in Week 7 as well. Denver currently has two open spots on the active roster after cutting two players on Tuesday.

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Chiefs coaching staff continues to evaluate options at left tackle through bye week

Kansas City #Chiefs coaching staff continues to evaluate options at left tackle through bye week | @EdEastonJr

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid held his first Zoom press conference since the bye week on Monday. He addressed the ongoing battle for the starting left tackle position ahead of the Week 7 matchup with the San Francisco 49ers.

“We obviously looked at that, and both of them can do better, and so Wanya (Morris) knows what he’s got to work on, and likewise, Kingsley (Suamataia) does,” said Reid. “We’re lucky to have both the guys, both young guys, and we’re kind of growing with them here. So we’ll just let that process keep rolling.”

Suamataia won the starting left tackle job out of training camp and began the season in that role. He struggled in Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals, which led to his benching in the fourth quarter in favor of Morris. The rookie remains highly valued by Reid and the coaching staff but has some things to work on regarding his consistency.

Morris has started the last few games and is used in the occasional big packages with Suamataia. The second-year offensive tackle has also faced criticism for recent penalties as he works on his effectiveness. Both players will likely be interchangeable for the rest of the season, barring any shocking moves at the trade deadline.

Broncos center goes on injured reserve; right tackle avoids IR

The Broncos placed center Luke Wattenberg on injured reserve on Saturday. Alex Forsyth is the next man up.

The Denver Broncos placed center Luke Wattenberg on injured reserve on Saturday with an ankle injury, the team announced.

Wattenberg will now have to sit out at least four games before being eligible to return from IR. On deck for the Broncos are games against the Los Angeles Chargers (home), New Orleans Saints (away), Carolina Panthers (home) and Baltimore Ravens (away).

The earliest Wattenberg would be eligible to return would be for a Week 10 showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs on the road on Nov. 10. Alex Forsyth is set to start at center while Wattenberg is sidelined.

The good news for Denver is that right tackle Alex Palczewski has avoided IR, but he’s still ruled out for this week’s game. The Broncos are expected to replace Palczewski in the starting lineup with Matt Peart on Sunday. Next week, right tackle Mike McGlinchey (knee) will be eligible to return from IR and reclaim his starting role.

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 terminate contract of injured offensive lineman with settlement

The Broncos terminated offensive lineman Will Sherman’s contract with an injury settlement, making him a free agent.

After placing offensive lineman Will Sherman on the practice squad/injured list on Tuesday, the Denver Broncos terminated his contract on Wednesday after reaching an injury settlement with the player.

Sherman (6-4, 300 pounds) Sherman injured his ankle during a practice last week. After reaching a settlement with the team, he now becomes a free agent. Once healthy, Sherman might be a candidate to return to the Broncos.

Elsewhere on the roster front, Denver officially signed wide receiver A.T. Perry to their practice squad on Wednesday. The Broncos added four players to their practice squad this week, clearing out Sherman, running back Salvon Ahmed and defensive back Quinton Newsome to make room. Denver also promoted linebacker Levelle Bailey to the active roster.

On the injury front, the Broncos have also opened 21-day windows for running back Audric Estime (ankle) and cornerback Damarri Mathis (ankle) to return from injured reserve to the 53-man roster.

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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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Chiefs HC Andy Reid reveals plan for Wanya Morris, Kingsley Suamataia at left tackle

Kansas City #Chiefs head coach Andy Reid reveals plan for Wanya Morris, Kingsley Suamataia at left tackle | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive line had a slight shake-up on Sunday night, as Wanya Morris started at left tackle.

During his weekly Monday Zoom press conference, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid addressed the ongoing discussions surrounding the starting left tackle spot.

“I thought Wanya (Morris) did some good things in there, so we’ll probably stick with that same thing you saw, where Kingsley (Suamataia) rotated in and played some tight end,” said Reid. “So he was able to get some good reps in there, and then again, one day, had the good reps at the left tackle spot.

As Reid said, Suamataia was used sparingly in big formations, but it isn’t guaranteed that either player will swap for each other if necessary.

“So, do they both have stuff to work on? Yes, so we’ll keep their young guys in a tough position with a tough go here, and they’ve got another good one coming here this week,” said Reid. “So they’ve got a prep for a couple of good ones. So we’ve got to make sure we keep growing. But they’re surely getting tested early.”

The back-and-forth between two talented young players will likely be an ongoing discussion throughout the season.

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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Broncos bring in familiar face for offensive line tryouts

The Broncos brought in Cam Fleming and Braeden Daniels for tryouts following the Mike McGlinchey injury.

After losing right tackle Mike McGlinchey to a knee injury, the Denver Broncos brought in two offensive linemen for tryouts on Thursday, including a familiar face.

The Broncos worked out Braeden Daniels and Cameron Fleming, according to KPRC-TV’s Aaron Wilson. Both players have experience at right tackle.

Fleming (6-5, 320 pounds) played in Denver from 2021-2023. He started 20 games for the Broncos over three seasons, including 15 starts in 2022 (splitting time between right and left tackle). Fleming dressed for six games last fall and had one fill-in start. He has been a free agent since March.

Daniels (6-4, 297 pounds) played left tackle, left guard and right tackle at Utah before being picked by the Washington Commanders in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL draft. After spending his rookie season on injured reserve with a torn rotator cuff, Daniels failed to make Washington’s 53-man roster this summer.

Daniels then signed with the Houston Texans’ practice squad in August. He was cut on Tuesday and is now a free agent.

If the Broncos add an offensive tackle, they will need to make a corresponding move as the active roster and practice squad are both full going into the team’s Week 3 showdown with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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