The Broncos are shuffling the deck on their offensive line heading into the final stretch of the season, and it starts with a tough blow: starting center Luke Wattenberg is headed to injured reserve with a shoulder injury. That means he’s out for the last two regular-season games and, if Denver makes a postseason run, he won’t be eligible to return until at least the third week of the playoffs.
That’s no small loss. Wattenberg has been a steady presence in the middle of the line, helping anchor a unit that’s been quietly improving as the season's gone on.
But with him sidelined, the Broncos turned to rookie Alex Forsyth, who stepped in as the starting center during Thursday night’s win over the Chiefs-and didn’t just hold his own. Forsyth earned a game ball for his performance, a clear sign that the coaching staff liked what they saw from the young lineman in a high-stakes divisional matchup.
Still, with depth suddenly a concern at center, Denver made a move. On Friday, the team signed veteran Sam Mustipher off the Chargers’ practice squad. To make room, they waived offensive guard Calvin Throckmorton.
Mustipher brings experience-64 career games, 43 starts-to a group that now needs both stability and insurance. He hasn’t seen the field in a regular-season game this year, but he did suit up for 12 games with the Chargers in 2024.
And interestingly enough, this isn’t his first stint with the Broncos. He spent the 2024 offseason in Denver after signing with the team in April, so there’s already some familiarity with the system and the staff.
As for Throckmorton, he saw limited action-just four snaps on special teams-in Thursday’s win after being elevated to the active roster. His release clears the way for Mustipher to step in as a potential backup option behind Forsyth.
The Broncos are clearly hoping the combination of a promising rookie and a seasoned vet can help them weather the loss of Wattenberg. With playoff positioning still on the line and two regular-season games left to play, having reliable depth in the trenches could make all the difference.