Mile High Report
The Denver Broncos announced earlier today that they have activated guard Ben Powers from the injured reserve.
Powers had his 21-day practice window opened last week, but despite returning to practice, the team decided that he was not ready and was not activated before the Packers game. Now, after having another full week of practice without any setbacks, Powers is now being activated from the IR and is set to return to the starting lineup this Sunday vs. the Jaguars.
While Powers was out, reserve offensive linemen Alex Palczewski filled in well, and the offense and blocking did not miss a beat. With that said, Palczewski will be needed once again this week as Head Coach Sean Payton stated that Powers is not expected to receive a full workload in his first game back from injury.
“Understand this, there’s always that transition period. So we’re never going to throw someone in there for 65 plays. There’s that transition period for anyone who’s coming off an injury like that.”
So, I would anticipate Powers getting the start, but we may see Palczewski rotate in throughout the game at left guard while also returning his role as the 6th offensive lineman in the heavy packages.
With Powers returning, the Broncos’ offensive line is nearing full health for an important stretch of games. This game vs. the Jaguars has a lot on the line, and with a victory and some help from other teams, the Broncos can lock up the AFC West AND the number one seed and home field throughout the postseason. So, getting fully healthy in the trenches for this postseason push and hopefully a deep postseason run should be beneficial for the Broncos.
The Broncos also announced that they have elevated third-string quarterback Sam Ehlinger and reserve safety Delarrin Turner-Yell from the practice squad to the active roster for Sunday’s game vs. the Jaguars. Ehlinger will serve as the emergency third-string quarterback, while Turner-Yell will add depth at the safety position with Brandon Jones sidelined.
Earlier in the week, the Broncos waived veteran guard Calvin Throckmorton to open up a roster spot for Ben Powers on the 53-man roster. Throckmorton cleared waivers and, as expected, signed back to the Broncos’ practice squad.
The Broncos will host the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday at 2:05 MT and will look to improve to 13-2 on the year and win their 12th straight game this season.
