The Denver Broncos placed center Luke Wattenberg on injured reserve on Saturday with an ankle injury, the team announced.
Wattenberg will now have to sit out at least four games before being eligible to return from IR. On deck for the Broncos are games against the Los Angeles Chargers (home), New Orleans Saints (away), Carolina Panthers (home) and Baltimore Ravens (away).
The earliest Wattenberg would be eligible to return would be for a Week 10 showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs on the road on Nov. 10. Alex Forsyth is set to start at center while Wattenberg is sidelined.
The good news for Denver is that right tackle Alex Palczewski has avoided IR, but he’s still ruled out for this week’s game. The Broncos are expected to replace Palczewski in the starting lineup with Matt Peart on Sunday. Next week, right tackle Mike McGlinchey (knee) will be eligible to return from IR and reclaim his starting role.
Denver’s game against Los Angeles will be regionally televised on CBS. Despite playing at home with a three-game winning streak, the Broncos are considered underdogs against the Chargers this week.
