JUST IN: Denver Broncos Officially Completes Another Blockbuster Deal to Sign a Top Rising Offensive Tackle from AFC South…
The Denver Broncos are riding a winning streak, having secured their third consecutive victory with a 34-18 triumph over division rival Las Vegas Raiders on October 6, bringing their season record to 3-2. However, if they aim to maintain this momentum, especially with rookie quarterback Bo Nix at the helm, protecting him and sustaining a strong run game will be crucial. The team’s offensive line has been hit by injuries, and Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine believes the Broncos should bolster the line by signing veteran offensive tackle Blake Hance from the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad.
Ballentine noted, “Although the Broncos won, the offensive line took a significant hit. Alex Palczewski, filling in for the injured Mike McGlinchey, left the game with an ankle injury, and center Luke Wattenberg also exited, leaving the Broncos even more shorthanded.”
He added that finding offensive line reinforcements mid-season is challenging, but Hance, who has experience with both the Jaguars and Cleveland Browns, could be a valuable addition.
A Tough Situation With Offensive Line Injuries
Heavy.com’s Josh Buckhalter elaborated on the struggles Denver faces with its offensive line injuries. He pointed out that the Broncos signed Matt Peart in free agency, who has appeared in 47 games over his five-year career, but losing Palczewski also weakens their depth at the guard positions. Additionally, undrafted rookie Frank Crum and center Alex Forsyth, a former college teammate of Bo Nix, are next in line to step up.
Hance’s Background
Standing at 6-foot-6 and 310 pounds, Hance was a four-year starter at Northwestern, playing in 46 games and earning a spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team in 2015. After going undrafted in 2019, Hance built a journeyman career across six teams. He’s played almost every game over the last three seasons, including eight starts at right tackle for the Cleveland Browns in 2021.
The Broncos will face another AFC West rival in Week 6, hosting the Los Angeles Chargers on October 7. After that, they have a short week before taking on the New Orleans Saints in a nationally-televised Thursday Night Football game on October 17. This matchup will be a reunion for head coach Sean Payton, who led the Saints for 16 seasons.
