The 3-3 Denver Broncos will travel to Louisiana to play against the 2-4 New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome on Thursday night for their seventh regular season game of the 2024 season. This is Sean Payton’s first game back in New Orleans since stepping down as their head coach after the 2021 season. The Saints proceeded to trade Payton to the Broncos after the 2022 season.
One crucial matchup to monitor throughout the game is the Saints’ 22nd-ranked defensive line vs. the Broncos’ 10th-ranked offensive line in the battle of the trenches. The Saints’ defense is responsible for 52 pressures, 13 QB hits, and 15 sacks, while the Broncos’ offensive line has allowed 43 pressures, 16 QB hits, and nine sacks through six games.
It will be interesting to see who starts at right tackle for Denver since their top two players are injured. Their veteran hasn’t played since Week 2.
The Denver Broncos $87.5 million RT hasn’t played since Week 2
Mike McGlinchey suffered an apparent knee injury in the fourth quarter of their Week 2 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and missed their final two offensive snaps. Tests determined that he suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain, which generally is a 4-to-6-week recovery. As a result, the Broncos placed McGlinchey on injured reserve ahead of Week 3, and he’s missed their last four games.
He is eligible now that four weeks have passed.
On X, the Denver Broncos announced they designated Mike McGlinchey and Baron Browning for return from injured reserve. McGlinchey has 21 days to practice with the team before the Broncos can activate him from injured reserve. If he doesn’t practice in that timeframe, or the team chooses not to activate him, he will miss the rest of the season.
McGlinchey participated in Tuesday’s practice as a limited participant, but it’s unlikely he will play in Week 7 since it’s a short week. The worst-case scenario is he doesn’t play until their Week 8 matchup against the Carolina Panthers or misses next week and returns in Week 9 against the Baltimore Ravens.
His backup is also banged up.
His backup suffered an ankle injury in Week 4
Alex Palczewski filled in for the injured Mike McGlinchey at right tackle for Weeks 3, 4, and 5. However, Palczewski suffered an apparent ankle injury in the second half of their Week 5 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, and he did not return. Tests determined he suffered a high ankle sprain and missed their Week 6 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Broncos estimated Palczewski as a limited participant on Monday and participated in Tuesday’s practice as a limited participant. It’s unclear if he will play Thursday night. There is a chance the team may not have their top two right tackles available.
Who starts if both cannot make it?
Matt Peart will get the nod at right tackle if Mike McGlinchey or Alex Palczewski cannot play. Peart started in the absence of Palczewski and had a solid performance in his starting debut with the Broncos. PFF credited him with a 71.1 pass block, a 90.0 run block, and an 81.7 PFF grade.
