ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Alex Palczewski, an undrafted second-year tackle, is set to make his first NFL start for the Denver Broncos after starting right tackle Mike McGlinchey was placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury. The Broncos, currently at 0-2, are gearing up to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are off to a 2-0 start and have won the NFC South championship three times in a row.
McGlinchey hurt his left MCL during the final moments of the Broncos’ 13-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Palczewski stepped in for the last two plays of the game. Palczewski, who played 65 games over six seasons at the University of Illinois, was one of four undrafted free agents who made the Broncos’ 53-man roster after training camp last year but missed most of his rookie season on injured reserve due to a hand injury.
Palczewski spent the offseason training with McGlinchey in Denver and expressed gratitude for McGlinchey’s guidance and mentorship. McGlinchey is expected to miss a minimum of four games and may return in Week 7 against New Orleans.
Coach Sean Payton commended Palczewski’s intelligence and effectiveness during training camp, highlighting his ability to fulfill his responsibilities on the field despite any athletic limitations. To fill McGlinchey’s roster spot, the Broncos promoted outside linebacker Dondrea Tillman from the practice squad and added former Chargers pass rusher Andrew Farmer to the practice squad.
Injuries are plaguing the Broncos, with starting outside linebacker Baron Browning suffering a foot injury and several other players missing practice, including defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers in concussion protocol, and safeties JL Skiller and Brandon Jones dealing with ankle and foot injuries, respectively.