Denver Broncos: Calvin Anderson debut could come on Sunday

Calvin Anderson could make his starting debut for the Denver Broncos.

The Denver Broncos have cycled through a number of offensive linemen, particularly at right tackle, in the 2020 season.

Ja’Wuan James was one of the team’s prized offseason acquisitions in 2019, but he struggled with a knee injury and hardly played at all last year. He opted-out of the 2020 season and the Broncos were forced to insert Elijah Wilkinson into the lineup.

As insurance, the Broncos brought in veteran Demar Dotson, who has been the team’s best option at right tackle to date.

In addition to those players, the Broncos had Jake Rodgers and Calvin Anderson from the year prior.

Rodgers has seen some action in both 2019 and 2020, but with very few positive results.

Elijah Wilkinson was recently designated to return from IR, but there is no guarantee he would immediately replace Demar Dotson in the lineup when he returns anyway. Dotson suffered an injury against the Atlanta Falcons, and after missing practice both Wednesday and Thursday, his status is in question for Sunday’s game against the Raiders.

Not only that, but Jake Rodgers will also not be practicing on Thursday with a shoulder injury.

Vic Fangio told the media on Thursday that considering all of the injuries and circumstances, it could be young Calvin Anderson’s turn to start at right tackle. He would be the fifth different option for the Broncos in 2020.

Remember Calvin Anderson? No?

He’s this guy:

https://twitter.com/THE_CONDA25/status/1295866778329874433

That’s Anderson working with the Broncos’ backup offense during training camp at the right tackle position, so this is obviously something the team had potentially talked about or planned for.

It’s amazing to think about the number of dominoes that have had to fall to lead to this chance for young no. 76, but here we are.

Anderson’s Twitter game is very strong, and he loves throwing out single emojis to pique everyone’s interest. On Wednesday, he posted this:

When he posted that, fellow backup offensive lineman Netane Muti replied…

https://twitter.com/netanemuti/status/1326688432672923648

At this point, based on what Fangio conceded to the media today about the injury status of Wilkinson, Dotson, and Rodgers, as well as Anderson’s post and Muti’s reply, it would seem reasonable to assume that Anderson is the front-runner to start at right tackle when the Broncos take on the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.

Time will tell if that is the case, but Anderson is a young player who has some upside. He has enough upside that the Broncos poached him off of the New York Jets’ practice squad last year and stashed him on the active roster all season. They’ve done the same thing again this year.

Has Anderson developed enough that they are willing to give him a shot?

It appears as though that will be the case. Hopefully, he can seize this opportunity.