The Broncos may be in the market for some offensive line help.
As reported earlier, center Dan Koppen had to be carted off the field with an injury to his leg during Sunday’s practice. Koppen was taken for an MRI right after getting hurt and Jeff Legwold of the Denver Post reports that Koppen tore his ACL.
It’s a big blow for the Broncos, who re-signed with the team in June after center J.D. Walton had surgery on the ankle he broke in 2012. Koppen stepped in for Walton last year, making 12 starts, and was expected to do so again this year, but it would appear that we won’t be seeing him on the field until next season.
Manny Ramirez took over for Koppen on Sunday and he’s the only experienced option currently on the roster. Phillip Blake, a fourth-round choice in 2012, also plays center, but he missed almost all of his rookie season with a thumb injury. Complicating matters on the interior for the Broncos is the ongoing ankle and leg trouble that guard Chris Kuper has been experiencing since breaking his leg late in the 2011 season.
With protecting Peyton Manning as important as ever in Denver, the Broncos will likely be scouring the market for bodies to help them get through camp and beyond without further losses on the line.