The Broncos continued tinkering with their offensive line mix Friday by signing center Sam Mustipher from the Los Angeles Chargers’ practice squad.
To clear a spot on the 53-man roster, Denver waived offensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton. If Throckmorton clears waivers, he is in line to return to the Broncos’ practice squad.
The move is interesting for multiple reasons.
First, Mustipher spent 2024 training camp with the Broncos before being waived at the roster cutdown deadline. He’s a veteran player and one who is familiar to the Broncos.
Also: Mustipher played 12 games last year for the Chargers and has been on Jim Harbaugh’s practice squad for a chunk of this season, too. Denver plays what is sure to be a meaningful game and still could end up a titanic one in Week 18 at home against the Chargers.
Throckmorton served as the No. 2 center for Denver on Thursday night at Kansas City as Alex Forsyth stepped into the starting lineup.
He replaced Luke Wattenberg, who was placed on injured reserve Thursday with a shoulder injury. Head coach Sean Payton said the IR placement for Wattenberg, who just signed a four-year, $48 million extension in November, came down to roster management.
“He’s right at that (four-week) mark,” Payton said of Wattenberg.
Wattenberg is first eligible to return if the Broncos make the AFC Championship Game.
Assuming Denver gets Throckmorton back to the practice squad, it will have four experienced interior options as depth: Throckmorton, Mustipher, Geron Christian and whoever doesn’t start at left guard between Alex Palczewski and Ben Powers.
Schrader clears waivers. Running back Cody Schrader has been on and off several rosters in the past few weeks. Denver waived the back on Thursday, and he cleared waivers on Friday, meaning he’s free to sign with any team.
The Broncos have three practice squad spots open before any additions. Throckmorton and Schrader could end up filling two of them.
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