The Denver Broncos are playing their starters against the Los Angeles Chargers, who will give as many of their banged-up players part or all of the game off as possible. If the Broncos get a big lead, they could give snaps to players like Calvin Throckmorton.
Throckmorton rejoins the Broncos after a brief departure.
His arrival comes at a critical time, when the Broncos have made it clear that they want to win, but must also be cognizant of the big picture.
Broncos Bring Back Veteran OL
GettyWil Lutz #3 and Calvin Throckmorton #76 of the Denver Broncos react after a field goal against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Throckmorton is a retread, first signing with the Broncos during the 2024 offseason after stints with the Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, and Tennessee Titans. He has since bounced between the active roster and the practice squad.
That includes ahead of Week 17, when the Broncos waived Throckmorton to make room for the return of center Sam Mustipher.
The expectation was always that Throckmorton would return once he cleared waivers.
Per The Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson on December 30, the Broncos indeed re-signed Throckmorton on Tuesday, bringing the fifth-year pro back as a member of their practice squad, as they have done many times before.
Throckmorton, 29, began his career as an undrafted free agent with the Saints, playing for Broncos head coach Sean Payton, who held the same role in New Orleans at the time.
Throckmorton has played in 10 games for the Broncos this season.
The Broncos needed help on the interior of their offensive line amid an injury to starting left guard Ben Powers. With Powers back in the lineup, rotating with fill-in Alex Palczewski since his return, the Broncos’ needs shifted.
Starting center Luke Wattenberg landed on IR with a shoulder injury, creating the need for Mustipher, who is the only other center on the roster behind replacement starter Alex Forsyth.
Timing Right for Calvin Throckmorton
GettyLucas Krull #85, Audric Estime #37, Matt Peart #79, and Calvin Throckmorton #76 of the Denver Broncos.
The Broncos have elevated Throckmorton twice this season, meaning they could do so once more before they would need to sign him to their 53-man roster to dress him again. Fortunately for the Broncos, there is just one game left in the regular season.
Moreover, the elevation counter resets in the postseason.
So, Throckmorton could remain a fixture on the Broncos’ game-day roster during the playoffs, as long as Denver’s stay lasts.
Tomasson noted that Throckmorton could get called up for the Broncos’ regular-season finale against the Chargers. As Powers gets back into form, Palczewski is also an option off the bench at both guard and tackle.
The Broncos are still navigating some other significant roster decisions besides Throckmorton.
Big-Bodied TE Looking to Rejoin Broncos for Playoffs
With the Broncos making decisions like re-signing Throckmorton and potentially getting running back J.K. Dobbins back this postseason, the news on tight end Lucas Krull has flown under the radar a bit.
Krull, another former Saints player, is in his third season with the Broncos.
He would add depth behind starters Adam Trautman and Evan Engram, especially with the Broncos still missing Nate Adkins.
Throckmorton’s return does not alter the Broncos’ postseason outlook. It could, however, alter how they approach the regular-season finale, particularly as the contest wears on. The ultimate goal is getting the roster as healthy as possible for what they hope is an extended playoff run.
Broncos Add Veteran Trench Protector to Roster Ahead of Chargers Game