The Denver Broncos have spent the last two offseasons attempting to rebuild the offensive line by signing Ben Powers and Mike McGlinchey to lucrative contracts the previous offseason, extending Quinn Meinerz this offseason, and not to mention Garett Bolles’ $20 million cap hit for 2024. The Broncos’ offensive line currently ranks 13th in positional spending with $44 million, according to Over The Cap. Despite the skewed pressure and sack numbers in 2023, PFF ranked their O-line unit as the 7th-best in the NFL.
The O-line has not had the best start to the 2024 season. They have allowed 28 pressures, 20 hurries, six hits, and two sacks through the first two games. PFF has them ranked 18th, heading into Week 3. One possible reason for having them ranked so low is that their starter suffered a significant injury.
The Denver Broncos right tackle suffered a significant knee injury
Mike McGlinchey exited the fourth quarter with an apparent knee injury. He missed their final two snaps of the game and underwent tests to determine the severity. Mike Garafolo of NFL Network stated Monday that McGlinchey sprained his MCL and would miss at least one month.
#Broncos OT Mike McGlinchey suffered a significant MCL sprain and is expected to miss about a month, sources say. Evaluations are ongoing, so the timeline is somewhat fluid. But he’ll be sidelined for a bit. pic.twitter.com/w7w6HoxSSs
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) September 16, 2024
Mike McGlinchey will miss the next four weeks
The Denver Broncos placed McGlinchey on injured reserve and will miss the next four weeks. The earliest he can return is Week 7. The Broncos play on the road against the Buccaneers in Week 3, on the road against the Jets in Week 4, at home against the Raiders on Sunday afternoon in Week 5, at home against the Chargers on Sunday afternoon in Week 6, and on the road against the Saints on Thursday night in Week 7.
Who will replace Mike McGlinchey in the starting rotation?
Alex Palczewski will take over at right tackle for the time being. Palczewski, an undrafted free agent from 2023, spent his rookie season on injured reserve with hand and knee injuries. He made the 53-man roster and played the final two snaps of the game last week. He is excited to get his first career start.
“It’s an awesome opportunity,” Palczewski said. “I’m excited to go out there and try to help the team win and just play for the guy next to me. That’s the thing I always care about is that offensive line is the only job where your sole job is to protect someone else. I’m excited to go play for the guys in here and play my first game.”
