Why Garett Bolles has faith in the Denver Broncos' fill-ins up front

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos have a question mark in the middle of their offensive line.

“I’m just trying to stay ready for my opportunity and be ready when the time calls for it,” backup center Alex Forsyth said on Thursday. “Don’t know when that’ll be, but we’ll see.”

All indications suggest that the opportunity will come on Sunday.

The Broncos’s starting center, Luke Wattenberg, left last week’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders early. Forsyth subbed in for the final 10 plays of the game.

Wattenberg missed both of the Broncos’ practices so far this week with an ankle injury. While the Broncos won’t give him an official designation until after Friday’s practice, the final practice of the week, odds appear to be stacked against him.

Given that Forsyth relieved Wattenberg last week and is the only other center on the Broncos’ active roster, Forsyth is the obvious replacement.

If Forsyth gets the nod on Sunday, he’ll notch his first start with rookie quarterback Bo Nix… since Forsyth was his center at Oregon in 2022.

“Any time I get the chance to go with Bo, it’s nice to have a friendly face,” Forsyth said.

Wattenerg isn’t the only lineman who could miss Sunday’s game. Right tackle Alex Palczewski has also missed both practices this week because of an ankle injury. Matt Peart is his likely replacement.

Left tackle Garett Bolles isn’t concerned by the injuries.

“I’m super confident,” Bolles said. “This is the closest group that I’ve been around for the eight years that I’ve been here. We’re all humble. We’re all hungry. We all want to be the best. We’re all rooting for each other. That’s what makes our group so special. I think that you can plug anyone in and get the job done.”

Bolles thinks Forsyth and Peart are ready for the opportunity.

“That’s what I think any offensive line coach wants: knowing that you have guys and you have depth,” Bolles said. “They can plug guys in that can play the roles that we need them to play. I know whoever’s in with Matt playing this week or Alex coming in at center—obviously we’re gonna miss Luke, Palcho, we love those guys and want them to get healthy but we know the next guy up menatilty and those guys are going to bring what we need to bring so we can continue to win.”

Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi is confident, too.

“You never like for your guys to get hurt,” Lombardi said on Thursday. “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 isn’t ready to say he’s going to start on Sunday, but he’ll be prepared if he’s needed.

“Like I said, I’m just gonna stay ready,” Forsyth said. “Don’t know what’s going to happen so just stay ready for if my number’s called.”

Injury Report

The Broncos and Chargers released updated injury reports ahead of their game on Sunday.

Running back Audric Estime and cornerback Damarri Mathis were full participants again on Thursday. Both are eligible to return to the active roster from injured reserve as soon as this week but must be activated within the next 21 days or be ineligible for the rest of the season.

However, if either is activated, the Broncos must clear space for him on the active roster. The easiest way to clear space would be to move either Palczewski or Wattenberg to injured reserve, if either is expected to miss significant time. Otherwise, the Broncos would need to release a player.

Tackle Mike McGlinchey and outside linebacker Baron Browning are eligible to return from injured reserve next week, which could create more of a logjam.

Broncos

Chargers

Notes

• Special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica is impressed by veteran cornerback Tremon Smith. “When Tremon came to us, he brought a lot of skills to the table. Obviously you mentioned the coverage. He’s been an excellent blocker. If you watch the tape on the long return that [WR] Marvin [Mims Jr.]  had, he does a really good job locking up his perimeter player. He does have kickoff return experience. He did it in Houston. He actually had a touchdown out there. That’s one of the great things about him, is he brings a lot of skills to the table. He’s been very valuable for us over the last couple of years.”
  
  
• Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph relived his evaluation of Riley Moss before the 2023 draft. “During the draft process, you can see the movement stuff and you can see the speed and start ability. The movement stuff was never an issue. Everyone’s college tape you watch for traits. He’s playing more quarters in college, so there wasn’t a bunch of man stuff. You can see the movement, the ball skills, the stop and start, the long speed and the football I.Q. was high on tape. He was tough. He can tackle. It’s no different than any young player in college. The traits are what matters. Once you acquire a player, you teach him how to play man, play certain zones and play to your system. It was a normal evaluation. He was a really good college player. I’m not surprised he’s a good player here.”
  
  
• Lombardi believes the Broncos’ patience with running back Javonte Williams has paid off. “I remember talking to you guys in West Virginia and you’re asking about him. It was like, ‘The kid’s a good player.’ Football is a long game, and not everyone’s going to rush for 150 yards every single game. You just stick with it, you stick with good players, and you know that eventually it’s going to break for them. I think all around we’ve been playing better in the run game. I think that obviously adds to it.”