ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — If your quarterback is a rookie, no matter how adept he is at getting rid of the ball, and your offensive line is banged up at two spots, it has to be a concern.
Heads up, Bo Nix.
Broncos starting center Luke Wattenberg and fill-in starting right tackle Alex Palczewski both missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, an indicator they won’t make it to Sunday for the AFC West game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High. Palczewski’s injury doesn’t appear to be as severe as Wattenberg’s.
Still, the Broncos are getting both backup center Alex Forsyth and veteran offensive tackle Matt Peart ready to start Sunday.
“You never like for your guys to get hurt,’’ offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said. “We have a lot of confidence in the guys that are filling in. Alex was right there with the center battle during training camp, and obviously he and Bo 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.”
Forsyth is from Oregon, where in 2022 he snapped the ball to Nix. A Broncos seventh-round draft pick last year, Forsyth essentially redshirted his rookie season before getting a chance to play this year. How has he improved from last year?
“I think communication, just confidence in the playbook and confident in my calls,’’ he said Thursday at his locker. “Coming off an offseason of studying and stuff, we were rotating a good amount during camp and getting reps with different guys. It’s tough when you don’t play next to people for that long, but just developing cohesion and working with different guys has been good.”
Is he stronger this year like most second-year players are compared to their rookie year?
“Yeah definitely stronger,’’ he said. “I definitely try to work on the way that I’m entering combo blocks, wide zone, inside zone, so I think I’ve seen improvements there and working to continue to get better at that and pass protection, continuing to try and get better at that.”
Forsyth was an All-Pac-12 center in his senior year at Oregon, delivering shotgun snaps in 12 of the 13 games Nix played as a junior quarterback.
“If my number is called obviously I know Bo and I’ve played with Bo for a number of games, a good amount of time,’’ Forsyth said. “If my number is called, I’ll be ready.”
Peart is experienced at the backup offensive tackle position. He has played in 48 NFL games with only seven starts. Last week against the Raiders, he played as a jumbo offensive tackle in run packages, right tackle for the injured Palczewski, and he even took four snaps at left tackle as Garett Bolles was shaking off some pain.
“I’m used to it,’’ Peart said. “This is my fifth year as a swing tackle, backup tackle, whatever the team needs. If I’m called upon this week, I’ll be ready.”
Reynolds out again
Josh Reynolds, the Broncos’ No. 2 or 3 receiver, missed his second straight practice with a hand injury. Devaughn Vele, a seventh-round rookie who had eight catches in the season opener but has been sidelined the past four weeks, would be expected to fill in.
“It’s out of my control. Whenever the coaches think I’m ready to step up and play I’m going to make sure I’m ready to heed the call,’’ Vele said.
Has it been frustrating missing so much time after such an impressive opener?
“Nothing too frustrating,’’ Vele said. “Just making sure I stay ready, stay in my playbook, take advantage of the scout reps I’ve been getting against this defense. It’s a great defense so I feel like I’m sharpening my iron and making sure I stay ready for when my number is called.”
Strnad has eye on Tampa-area home
Broncos starting inside linebacker Justin Strnad moved into his new home in the Tampa area during the offseason. The area has been crushed by back-to-back hurricanes in a two-week span – Helene and then Hurricane Milton on Wednesday night into Thursday morning.
“I’m waiting to check my phone post-practice but I think my dad said he made it out OK compared to the rest of the people, so he’s very fortunate,’’ Strnad said. “This one from a flood standpoint didn’t do the damage from last week’s hurricane [Helene]. Last week’s flood was a lot worse at least where I’m currently living. Just hoping things aren’t too bad.
“Hoping to get out there at some point, maybe after the Saints game head out there and see what’s still up, and what’s down at the house.”
