The Denver Broncos continue to be plagued by injuries as the regular season comes to a close. One month after signing center Luke Wattenberg to a four-year contract worth $48 million, the Broncos reportedly placed the veteran offensive lineman on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. Insider Mike Klis.
The former Washington Huskies standout has started the past 28 games for the team and has improved greatly. While he’s continued to improve as a run blocker, the fourth-year veteran has emerged as one of the NFL’s best pivot pass protectors. This is a cruel blow to the team’s offensive line.
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The Broncos will now rely on third-year player Alex Forsythe to take his place. Forsyth, a seventh-round draft pick by the Denver Nuggets in 2023, has started four games in his career and played 299 offensive snaps in 32 regular-season games. In limited action, Forsyth has impressed as a run blocker but struggled in pass protection.
The Denver Nuggets have done a great job of avoiding injuries over the past few seasons. Unfortunately, the losses started to pile up as the playoffs approached. Inside linebacker Dre Greenlaw limped off the field last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, it appears the Broncos will not elect to place him on IR. Ten days ago, safety Brandon Jones suffered a chest injury against the Green Bay Packers and was placed on injured reserve.
Here’s wishing Wattenberg a speedy recovery and hoping Forsyth can hold his own.