The Denver Broncos offensive line has taken another unfortunate hit.
Netane Muti was swooped from Denver’s practice squad on Tuesday by the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Broncos drafted Muti in the sixth round in 2020. As a rookie, he played four games with one start. And then he played in 15 games with three starts last season for the orange and blue.
This year, Muti saw his first game action on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. He played 28 snaps at left guard as one of the three players who filled in for the injured Dalton Riser. Unlike Luke Wattenberg and Quinn Bailey, who he split time with, Muti did not allow a sack or a pressure on Russell Wilson.
Not only that, but despite Denver’s loss, the 28 points were their highest total score this season. It was likely the best game by the Broncos offense all year long.
Rewind to September and Muti did not make the Broncos’ initial 53-man roster. Although he was promoted to the active roster for the Week 14 matchup, he reverted back to the practice squad on Monday.
As a practice squad member, he was fair game to other teams for taking. The Raiders wasted no time making a move.
Broncos Country was understandably upset by their move. General manager George Paton received a lot of criticism for letting him go.
The #Raiders swoop up Netane Muti off the #Broncos practice squad (per @mikeklis). This is a development Denver will rue. Muti has been a homegrown guy and played well on Sunday in the snaps given. Years of development down the drain at a position Denver isn't exactly deep at.
— Chad Jensen (@ChadNJensen) December 13, 2022
With a unit decimated by injuries all season, Sunday was the first glimpse of hope for Denver’s struggling offense. Not only did the Broncos lose Muti to a division rival, but they also got nothing in return for him.
The team is already down Garret Bolles, Lloyd Cushenberry, and Billy Turner as starters on the line. Wattenberg and Bailey’s struggles on Sunday prove that there’s a severe lack of depth, especially at the guard position.
The good news is Risner did practice in a limited basis on Wednesday. However, if he cannot go against the Arizona Cardinals, the Broncos offense could be in big trouble.
That will likely be the case if Wilson cannot play this week. His Sunday status is still unclear due to a concussion he suffered last week, meaning Brett Rypien might be getting the start. He’ll need all the help and protection he can get.
With only four games left in the season, it’s unlikely the Broncos will make a big splash beefing up the position. However, improving the offensive line has to be priority No. 1 in 2023. Not only has it prohibited the Broncos offense’s ability to score this season, but it’s also been a factor in the high number of injuries. A complete overhaul is desperately needed for next year.