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.
