The Denver Broncos are riding high after their win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 5, but their good mood was quickly curtailed with the news about starting left guard Ben Powers.
Denver’s win was the first of two victories by road teams taking down the NFL’s last undefeated teams in Week 5, with the New England Patriots following suit against the Buffalo Bills on “Sunday Night Football.” However, there is significant early concern over Powers’ status.
The news comes as the Broncos prepare to face the New York Jets in London in Week 6.
Ben Powers Not Traveling to London With Broncos
GettyBen Powers #74 of the Denver Broncos in action against the New Orleans Saints .
Powers played he entire game. He picked up a false start penalty, but the Broncos’ coaching staff did not bench or otherwise pull Powers against the Eagles . The nebulous nature of the issue has added another layer of intrigue to the matter for head coach Sean Payton and Co.
The Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel noted on X that the matter “sounds ominous,” given that Powers is not traveling with the team.
“Powers is returning to Denver to be evaluated for a biceps injury he suffered against Philadelphia on Sunday night, according to an injury report the Broncos were required to release because of their travel to London,” Gabriel wrote in a follow-up article on October 5. “There was no immediate information on the severity of the injury, but returning home instead of traveling with the team clearly puts Powers’ status going forward in doubt.”
“Powers played every snap against Philadelphia, but now is facing a potential absence.”
Powers is in his third season with the Broncos . A fourth-round pick (No. 123 overall) by the Baltimore Ravens in 2019, Powers is signed through 2026 on a four-year, $52 million contract .
Broncos Have Options at LG If Starter Misses
GettyMatt Peart #79 of the Denver Broncos looks to block against the Arizona Cardinals.
Powers has logged three straight seasons with at least 17 games played, putting his streak in jeopardy as well as his availability for the Broncos against the Jets .
The Broncos are not exactly in dire straits without him.
“During training camp, Alex Palczewski was the first man in on the right side, but Matt Peart served as the primary backup on the left side,” Gabriel wrote. “Either could slide into Powers’ spot, and Denver could also look at Alex Forsyth or practice squad veteran Calvin Throckmorton .”
However, entering Week 5, Pro Football Focus graded Powers as the Broncos’ third-best offensive lineman overall. Those grades are subjective and have been polarizing, given that player assignments are not public knowledge.
Still, PFF ranked Powers second behind left tackle Garett Bolles in run blocking. He was fifth behind Palczewski – but ahead of center Luke Wattenberg – in pass protection.
Broncos’ Top-Flight OL Facing Potential Hit Before Jets Game
GettyBen Powers #74 of the Denver Broncos in action against the New Orleans Saints .
The Broncos have boasted one of, if not the, best offensive lines for the past two seasons. However, that is when they are whole. Powers has been durable. But the Broncos played four games from Week 3 through 6 in 2024 without right tackle Mike McGlinchey .
They went 3-1 in those games.
Wattenberg missed Weeks 6 through 9. The Broncos went 2-2 without him. The Broncos lost the game that both players missed in Week 6, which was against the Los Angeles Chargers .
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us .
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Broncos Get ‘Ominous’ Sounding News Before Jets Game in London appeared first on Heavy Sports .