J.D. Walton (50) prepares to snap the football during second quarter of the game against the Oakland Raiders at Sports Authority Field. (Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)

We’re now in the thick of the off season. Players and coaches are taking their last chunk of time off to relax, recover, and get the engine revved for the beginning of the 2013 season, which begins in late July with training camp.

Unfortunately, for some players, this is also the time when additional medical treatment is needed. That’s the case for Denver Broncos center J.D. Walton, who had another surgical procedure on his left ankle to repair some of the hardware that was inserted into the ankle to repair his dislocation from the September 30 game against the Raiders.

This surgery could leave him on the sidelines for the Broncos’ entire season. That would be the worst case scenario. Best case would be Walton returning to practice in late-October, according to Jeff Legwold of the Denver Post.

This spells bad news for an offensive line that was already battered and bruised in the off season. Chris Kuper had off season ankle surgery as well. Both Ryan Clady and Orlando Franklin had shoulder surgery after the 2012 season.

With Walton down and out, that leaves Manny Ramirez to fill in at starting center. The seven-year veteran played in 15 games (11 starts) for the Broncos last year.

There’s also the possibility that the Broncos could sign Dan Koppen again. Koppen came up huge last season, starting 12 games. Peyton Manning needs ole reliable getting him the ball. Ramirez didn’t work with Manning much last season at center.

Koppen, 34, remains a free agent, and already has great timing with Manning. It’s the surefire way to go, at least from an outside perspective.

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J.D. Walton prepares to snap the football during second quarter of the game against the Oakland Raiders. (Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE)

The Denver Broncos must have looked into their crystal ball 20 days ago. The team signed longtime New England Patriots center Dan Koppen at just the right time.

The Broncos had to put their backup plan to work against the Oakland Raiders.

J.D. Walton fell to the ground in the second quarter when Raiders defensive end Jack Crawford rolled over his ankle. Walton broke his ankle and will be place on injured reserve.

“I’m absolutely sick about J.D. Walton and his potential injury,” Peyton Manning said. “I haven’t heard the official, but it sure didn’t look good out there. I know how hard he’s worked and my heart goes out to him.”

Koppen took over for Walton, who prior to the injury, had only missed one offensive snap in his three year career.

“I thought Dan came in and did a great job,” Manning said. “I feel fortunate to have him on the team.”

Koppen has plenty of experience running the no-huddle and calling out protection schemes as he did it for Tom Brady for nine seasons.

It’s fitting that the Broncos have the Patriots up next week. Koppen was released from New England just four weeks ago after not playing most of last season due to a fractured ankle.

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Dan Koppen on the field as they take on the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half of the preseason game at Gillette Stadium. (David Butler II-US PRESSWIRE)

The Denver Broncos signed former New England Patriots center Dan Koppen Monday evening.

Koppen was released by the Patriots just two weeks ago, and did not play most of last season due to suffering a fractured ankle. Koppen started in 120 games in nine seasons for the Patriots.

The Broncos likely brought him aboard because of his expertise in running the no-huddle offense and calling out protection schemes. He did it for nearly a decade for Tom Brady.

The Broncos current center, J.D. Walton, has started in all 35 games since he was drafted in 2010.

The 6’2″, 300-pound Koppen was drafted out of Boston College in the fifth round of the 2003 draft.

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