Denver Broncos small offensive line change could turn season around
The Denver Broncos will move forward for at least the next four weeks without starting center Lloyd Cushenberry III, who went down in London against the Jaguars with a groin injury. The Broncos placed Cushenberry on IR on Tuesday, meaning veteran Graham Glasgow will get the nod as the team’s starting center moving forward.
When Cushenberry went down against the Jaguars, Glasgow came in and did an excellent job. Glasgow also has experience playing center from his days with the Detroit Lions, and that versatility could now not only help him resurrect his career but also help the Denver Broncos offensive line really turn things around here in 2022.
Denver Broncos moving forward with Graham Glasgow at center
When Glasgow had to take over for the injured Cushenberry against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Denver Broncos offense had quite a bit of success, especially at protecting Russell Wilson. They drove 98 yards for a touchdown as a unit and Glasgow had multiple blocks on that drive where he simply buried his man in pass protection.
The offensive line was in sync for the team’s game-winning touchdown drive against the Jaguars as well, and overall, they gave Russell Wilson the time he needed to make plays. Kudos to Glasgow for being ready to go. We’re just about a year removed from Glasgow suffering a gruesome injury against the Dallas Cowboys on a meaningless play before halftime, and now, here he is ready at a moment’s notice to play center or guard at a high level.
With Cushenberry now sidelined, the Denver Broncos perhaps will have stumbled upon their best offensive line combination yet this year. We’ll see what happens with Cam Fleming versus Calvin Anderson at that left tackle position, but with Glasgow at the center spot, things could really turn around for the Broncos’ season. I don’t think that’s a bunch of hyperbole, either.
The communication on the interior offensive line simply hadn’t been very good. There were way too many breakdowns in protection and the Broncos got bullied on more than enough occasions in the running game to know that the weak area of the line was on the interior. With Glasgow out there, there’s a different level of physicality.
He’s a veteran offensive lineman who has seen plenty. As long as that ball is getting to Russell Wilson on target and on time, I think Glasgow is perhaps the best option the Broncos have at center regardless of whether or not everyone is healthy.