The Denver Broncos are in a bit of a holding pattern following their most recent training camp practice, specifically regarding veteran and starting center Luke Wattenberg.
Wattenberg, who turns 28, is a former fifth-round pick. He is in his fifth season with the Broncos, and his third season as their starting pivot. That is one of the more underrated positions, given how much they are entrusted with sorting out for the offense.
The Broncos are as prepared as a team can be for a potential absence, but it is worth monitoring.
Luke Wattenberg Exits Broncos Training Camp Practice Early
“Luke Wattenberg left practice after going down hard on a drill,” DNVR Broncos’ Zac Stevens reported on X on August 3. “He was being looked at by trainers.”
That was easily one of the biggest stories of the day.
However, Broncos head coach Sean Payton downplayed the issue, saying, “We’ll evaluate. I think he’ll be fine,” per 9News’ Mike Klis, who also noted that Wattenberg missed two games last season due to a shoulder injury.
That the Broncos, and specifically quarterback Bo Nix, have had to play without Wattenberg in their recent history could help smooth the transition to a new center.
In Wattenberg’s absence, the Broncos turned to Alex Forsyth.
Forsyth, a seventh-round pick in the 2023 draft, was Nix’s teammate at Oregon, stepped in for Wattenberg during the latter’s absence last season, and has started six games while appearing in 34 contests total over the past two seasons.
“He’s super savvy and smart. He’s one of the smarter guys in that room. You don’t feel a young player,” Payton told reporters of Forsyth. “If you interviewed him, you’d feel like you’re talking to a 7-year vet. And he’s a little bit of an old soul that way, and much appreciated, though. He’s really talented.”
The Broncos are notably 4-2 in games that Forsyth has started. They would certainly prefer to have their starter in place, though.
This story will be updated shortly…
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