Denver’s starting offensive line quintet has been a stable force over the first nine games of the season.
They’ve played all but five snaps together, two that right tackle Mike McGlinchey missed against Miami and three center Lloyd Cushenberry missed Monday night at Buffalo.
Heading into a prime time game against Minnesota, though, the run of consistency is in some jeopardy.
Starting left guard Ben Powers (foot) missed practice Thursday and hasn’t done any work so far this week. He stretched on his own early during the portion of practice open to reporters, then went into the Broncos’ weight room building.
“It was something from the game and we’ll see how he goes tomorrow,” Payton said. “We’ll see where he’s at.”
Denver still has time remaining in the week. Payton said the team treated Thursday’s practice like a Wednesday session and will have a heavier-than-normal Saturday slate due to the short week of preparation. Itap possible, as Payton alluded, he’ll feel good enough Friday to do some practice work and trend toward playing.
If not, Denver is likely to start fifth-year lineman Quinn Bailey in his place.
“He’s strong,” Payton said of Bailey, who has played in all nine games as the Broncos’ jumbo tight end this season. “…Itap strength and weight and size relative to the run scheme.”
Added Cushenberry, “He’s very smart. He’s played guard and tackle throughout his career and he’s also been our jumbo tight end for us this year. He knows every position. … As far as mental processing, it wouldn’t be a huge dropoff because both he and Ben are very smart players.
“You can count on him to know what to do on every snap.”
Jeudy limited. An injury situation to monitor going forward for the Broncos: Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy popped up on the injury report Thursday as a limited participant due to a hip issue.
Jeudy did individual work early in the portion of practice open to reporters, but at one point reached for his hip area and then skipped turns during individual work.
Jeudy, of course, missed the team’s season opener against Las Vegas due to a hamstring injury he sustained late in training camp.
In eight games this year Jeudy has 30 catches for 371 yards and a touchdown.
Locke out again. Along with Powers, safety P.J. Locke (ankle) was also held out of practice Thursday.
If he misses Sunday’s game, the Broncos will be even happier to have Kareem Jackson back from his two-game suspension.
Elsewhere on the injury report, receiver Marvin Mims Jr. (ankle) and outside linebacker Baron Browning (wrist/knee) joined outside linebacker Ronnie Perkins (quad) as full participants.
Field replaced. For the second time in calendar 2023, the Broncos had a new playing surface put down at Empower Field over the past couple of weeks.
CEO Greg Penner had the grass replaced ahead of Denver’s final game last season and again recently after Air Force and Army played there during the Broncos’ bye week.
“Itap fantastic,” Payton said. “Itap outstanding. I didn’t know if something happened to the old one. A lot gets done in those stadiums. But itap good.”
Coburn returns to KC. The Broncos waived rookie defensive tackle Keondre Coburn on Tuesday to make room for Jackson’s return. Thursday, he was back with Kansas City, the team that originally drafted him in the sixth round this spring.
Denver hoped to get him back on the practice squad, waiving cornerback Reese Taylor to make a spot. But they re-signed Taylor and he was present at practice Thursday.
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