COVID-19 has disrupted the world as we know it, and that includes the NFL.
Many teams — notably the Tennessee Titans and New England Patriots — have dealt with multiple cases, but the Denver Broncos seemed to be having some of the best luck of any team.
Then, last week, the Broncos had running backs coach Curtis Modkins come back as a positive. This week, it was offensive line coach Mike Munchak, followed by the first in-season player to contract coronavirus in Graham Glasgow.
Glasgow was discovered as Denver’s first positive case yesterday, Friday, putting the Broncos – Chargers Week 8 game into question. Besides Glasgow, both linemen Austin Schlottmann and Demar Dotson were self-isolated yesterday while the entire team postponed practice.
And according to multiple reports this morning, the Broncos have had no new confirmed cases. That means their game — scheduled for a 2:05 p.m. kickoff in the Mile High City, Sunday — is still on, even with the Chargers having a confirmed case in reserve lineman Ryan Groy earlier in the week.
So, what does the game going forward mean for the offensive line?
Well, Glasgow is out at right guard and Ja’Wuan James, who was supposed to start at right tackle this year, opted out before the season began. Oh, and Elijah Wilkinson was placed on the Injured Reserve in September.
So, in all likelihood it will be Schlottmann at right guard and Dotson at right tackle this week. Glasgow, a big offseason signing, has struggled a bit this season. He’s been called for three penalties, which leads the team, and he’s allowed a sack as well. But, his 70.1 grade from Pro Football Focus is far and away better than Schlottmann’s 48.7 grade on only a mere 32 snaps. Schlottmann also started the final four games of 2019 for Denver. Meanwhile, Dotson has excelled since being plugged in at right tackle, earning a 76.8 grade with only one penalty.
Besides the offensive line hurting, though, the Broncos are dealing with numerous other injuries as well. This week, defensive tackle Mike Purcell was placed on the Injured Reserve, along with other stars like Von Miller, Jurrell Casey and Courtland Sutton.
Wide receiver Tim Patrick, who’s filled in for Sutton, is listed as questionable this week with a hamstring. Another playmaker in Phillip Lindsay is also “questionable” or 50-50 to play due to the concussion he sustained in last week’s loss.
Simply, the Broncos offense is hurting and they’ve already been struggling all season long to put points on the board. Their 19.3 points per game are 28th in the NFL while their 14 total turnovers are second-worst in the league.
Conversely, the Chargers have been excelling on offense with Justin Herbert under center. They’ve averaged 26.6 points per with the rookie quarterback, and their 39 points last week were a season-high.
Without a doubt, it’s going to be a tall task for the Denver defense. But, they’ve been up to the task most weeks this season, even with a bevy of injuries on their side. Broncos fans need to see some elevated play by the offense, and they could possibly take advantage of the Chargers’ lackluster pass defense, but only if Drew Lock bounces back with superb play after the worst game of his short career last week.
