Broncos coach John Fox said last week that the target date for getting his offensive line back together was near the start of training camp.
That target’s not going to be hit.
According to Jeff Legwold of the Denver Post, center J.D. Walton had to have an additional surgery on his ankle this week which could mean he’ll miss the entire season. Broncos officials were holding out hope that if his recovery went smoothly, Walton might return for the second half of the year.
Walton missed most of last season with a broken ankle, and his absence will force the Broncos to adjust again up front.
Coupled with guard Chris Kuper’s recovery and the contract-related absence of franchise-tagged left tackle Ryan Clady, the Broncos already had plenty of question marks in front of quarterback Peyton Manning.
Now they have a bigger one.