Broncos forced to turn to last player fans want to see in lineup due to key injury vs. Chiefs

When the Denver Broncos take the field against the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas night, they will be forced to turn to another player at the starting center spot, as Luke Wattenberg will miss the game due to a shoulder injury. 

Wattenberg, who signed a four-year, $48 million extension last month, has started every game for the team this season. With him out of the lineup, the Broncos will insert Alex Forsyth into that slot. 

That's somewhat ironic, as the most well-known play from Forsyth's short career occurred at Arrowhead Stadium last season, and it was arguably the worst play of the entire season for the Broncos. 

What would have been the biggest Broncos victory in years was erased when Wil Lutz's short field goal attempt was blocked. On that play, Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal ran through Forsyth like he wasn't even there to be able to get his hand up and swat the ball.

Broncos fans likely still haven't forgiven Forsyth and there were many who were rooting for him to be cut this offseason. Now, he will take over at a key spot at the sight of his biggest failure. 

The Broncos rotated Ben Powers and Alex Palczewski at guard last week, easing Powers back into action, but the interior of the Broncos' offensive line may be weakened, and that will be something to keep a close eye on, especially with the Chiefs' superstar defensive lineman Chris Jones on the other side of the field. 

READ: Broncos starter, on verge of being a free-agent bust, will miss Week 17 game vs. Chiefs

Forsyth is in his third year with the Broncos. He was a seventh-round pick in 2023 and played with Bo Nix at Oregon while in college. That has long been a reason for him sticking with the team, and now those same two players will have to work together to get the Broncos their 13th win of the season. 

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