Luke

Wattenberg

Wattenberg practiced fully all week, so he is seemingly on track to face the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. Getting their stud center back on the field would be great news for the Broncos’ offense, particularly fill-in QB Jarrett Stidham.

Prior reporting on Wattenberg’s injury has been proven accurate. He missed the first two weeks of the playoffs, as expected, and will now attempt to make his return in time for Denver’s AFC Championship Game against the Patriots. Wattenberg is an all-around talented blocker. His potential return is great for the Broncos’ offense.

Wattenberg grades well as both a pass protector and run blocker, earning a 70.9 PFF offense grade. With Wattenberg sidelined, the Broncos signed C Sam Mustipher off the Chargers’ practice squad. Broncos C Alex Forsyth will operate as the starter with Wattenberg sidelined. Mustipher is his backup.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero also reports Wattenberg’s extension also includes $27 million guaranteed. The 28-year-old has been an anchor of the Broncos’ offensive line, starting all 24 games played over the last two seasons. He ranks among the top-15 centers in both PFF pass blocking and run blocking grades, allowing one quarterback hit and nine hurries this season. Wattenberg gets rewarded with a deal that keeps him in Denver through 2029.

Wattenberg’s potential return bodes positively for the Broncos’ pass-protection ability as they prepare to take on Chris Jones and the rest of the Chiefs’ talented pass rush. Wattenberg still has to get through the week setback-free though.

Wattenberg was injured on Bo Nix’s goal-line, fourth-quarter plunge. He was able to walk off under his own power, which is a positive. This offensive line has already lost multiple starters this year though.

Both Bolles and C Luke Wattenberg (ankle) practiced in full on Friday. It’s great news for a Broncos offense that faces the Steelers’ top-notch defensive front in Week 2.

C Luke Wattenberg (ankle) was also sidelined. The Broncos host the Steelers’ vaunted front seven on Sunday and will badly need their offensive line intact. This is a situation worth monitoring.

The Broncos dealt picks No. 179 and 234 to the Packers for No. 171. Wattenberg (6'5/300) started a whopping 48 games for the Huskies. He started at left tackle, then gradually moved inside to guard and then center for his final two seasons, earning an All-Pac 12 honorable mention both those years. He’s got a lot of football under his belt, and the ability to adapt and play different positions demonstrates his intelligence and feel for the game. He’s one of the most athletic linemen in the draft, earning a 9.58 relative athletic score. Notably missing from that score is his bench press though, and that’s where most of his concern as a prospect comes from—a lack of functional strength. He’s not huge, got overwhelmed too often by defensive tackles, and doesn’t generate much push in the run game. He shows athleticism the best when he can get out and move, either on screens, pulls, or when he gets to the second level. His speed and ability to play all across the line are valuable assets, and it’s not out of the question he adds power once he’s in an NFL training program. If he can fix that without losing the speed, he’ll make it at the pro level.