The Denver Broncos made the unfortunate decision to put starting center Luke Wattenberg on injured reserve, which has had a domino effect on their roster.
With backup center Alex Forsyth stepping into Wattenberg’s place against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 17 on “Thursday Night Football,” and the latter forced to miss at least three more games, the Broncos needed to bolster their depth behind the replacement.
To do that, the Broncos turned to a familiar face.
Broncos Sign Former Bears C Sam Mustipher
GettySam Mustipher #61 of the Baltimore Ravens looks on before playing against the Houston Texans.
“Denver signed center Sam Mustipher off of the Los Angeles Chargers’ practice squad, the team announced Friday,” DenverBroncos.com’s Aric DiLalla wrote on December 26. “Mustipher has appeared in 64 games and started 43 contests in his NFL career. He last saw regular-season action in 2024, when he appeared in 12 games for the Chargers.
“The 6-foot-3, 306-pound player spent the 2024 offseason with the Broncos after signing with the team in April.”
The Broncos host the Chargers in the regular-season finale, and it could be with the AFC West title on the line. Mustipher entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Chicago Bears in 2019.
He did not play during the regular season as a rookie.
Mustipher took over at the pivot spot halfway through his second year and was a full-time starter by his third.
Mustipher has also spent time with the Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans. The Broncos cut Mustipher at the end of the preseason in 2024, and the Chargers claimed him. That was his first stint with the organization in LA.
Broncos Following Notable Pattern
GettyCody Schrader #32 of the Los Angeles Rams reacts after his run against the Dallas Cowboys.
This is also not the first time this season that the Broncos have added a player from an upcoming opponent’s roster. They claimed running back Cody Schrader off waivers from the Jacksonville Jaguars on December 15, six days before their Week 16 matchup.
The Broncos lost to the Jaguars 34-20 in an upset.
Mustipher has been with the Chargers since October 2 in his second stint, giving him a wealth of institutional knowledge, even as a member of the practice squad.
9News’ Mike Klis noted the Broncos’ decision to poach Mustipher was “added intrigue” for the pivotal Week 18 matchup. The Broncos have not beaten the Chargers since LA hired Jim Harbaugh as head coach.
Broncos Cut 27-Game Starter
GettyLucas Krull #85, Audric Estime #37, Matt Peart #79, and Calvin Throckmorton #76 of the Denver Broncos.
With Mustipher arriving, the Broncos had to make room on their 53-man roster, and reserve guard Calvin Throckmorton was the unfortunate selection.
“The Broncos waived guard Calvin Throckmorton in a corresponding move,” DiLalla wrote.
Throckmorton has been with the Broncos since 2024, and he has played in 10 games this season, all as a reserve. He has started 27 of the 58 games that he has played in his career, but was the victim of an injury-induced roster crunch.
However, Throckmorton’s time in limbo could be short-lived, with The Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson reporting the Broncos would like to bring him back.
That is, if he clears waivers.
Tomasson also reports that Schrader, who was waived after the loss, is also a candidate for the Broncos’ practice squad roster. At any rate, the Broncos’ move to add Mustipher to their roster stands out for various reasons. Most notably, highlighting the status of their offensive line.
Broncos Poach Former Bears Starter, Part Ways With Veteran in Roster Update