The Broncos’ run of continuity on the offensive line nearly hit the finish line.
Instead, one Week 18 curveball.
Right tackle Mike McGlinchey on Friday was ruled out for Sunday’s finale against Las Vegas because of an inadvertent shot to the ribs he took against the Chargers from teammate Javonte Williams’ helmet.
That means the Broncos will have a new starting configuration up front after 16 straight games of the same quintet.
Cam Fleming will start at right tackle for McGlinchey while the other four — left tackle Garett Bolles, left guard Ben Powers, center Lloyd Cushenberry and right guard Quinn Meinerz — are each on track to start for the 17th time this year.
“Those guys, we always talk about that group having cohesiveness and itap a group that is fairly tight,” coach Sean Payton said Friday. “Itap a credit to (them). I would really say that the story is when you watch that group work out. Itap impressive. Itap a credit or testament to their offseason. Itap hard to do in this league.
“Overall, itap been an area that I have been pleased with. Itap uncomfortable lifting how we lift and practicing sometimes, but experience has told me to get ready for games, it’s hard to do if you are not prepping the right way.”
Fleming led Broncos offensive linemen in snaps last year when Denver started 10 different quintets. He re-signed this summer as a swing tackle but was coming off back surgery. He told The Post on Friday it was a blessing in disguise that he wasn’t needed in game action early in the season outside of two snaps late against Miami in Week 3.
Now he gets a start to close out the season.
“I’m happy any time I get to play,” Fleming said. “We’re definitely lucky. Itap very unusual to have five linemen basically start every game until this coming Sunday. I think we’re all thankful. Everyone’s healthy and everyone’s happy, and also itap allowed us to become close because we didn’t have anybody coming in or coming out. Itap been the same 12 guys since camp.”
Sutton, Browning return. The Broncos will get a boost in the finale as receiver Courtland Sutton and outside linebacker Baron Browning cleared the concussion protocol and are set to return to action Sunday at Las Vegas.
Wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. is also cleared to play after a hamstring injury, and several others who missed practice time this week, including defensive lineman Mike Purcell and running back Samaje Perine, will be available, too.
Aside from McGlinchey, the only Broncos player to be ruled out is veteran tight end Chris Manhertz, who has missed the whole week of practice due to illness.
Protect your own. There’s always a bit of a cat-and-mouse game late in the season where teams will try to poach opponents’ practice squad players that they may be interested in getting a look at or trying to sign for the offseason.
Denver has one open spot on its 53-man roster after placing safety Delarrin Turner-Yell on injured reserve Thursday. It could create up to two more by putting McGlinchey and/or Manhertz there, too.
That would allow for up to three players to be signed to the active roster or practice squad on Saturday.
“This is the time of year where they’re coming after yours and you’re going after theirs if you have a spot,” Payton said. “(General manager George Paton) and I visit all the time. … This is our mini version of the (transfer) portal, where others are trying to grab a young player that they may have a roster spot for.”
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