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Amid all the variables on the Broncos’ offensive line this year, Dalton Risner has been the constant.
Risner is the lone Denver lineman to play every game in 2022. In a contract season, the Wiggins product and 2019 second-round pick out of Kansas State has started 58 of 60 career games. And he’s emerged as the leader on the Broncos’ front, which has been plagued by injuries.
“When we got in here, (the new coaching staff) didn’t know exactly what we had with him,” head coach Nathaniel Hackett said. “He’s been a true pro, and he’s gotten better every week with (the new blocking scheme). He’s really taken control of that room.”
Heading into Week 13 in Baltimore, Denver’s used seven different offensive line combinations. That lack of continuity up front, in tandem with a slate of fresh faces in the backfield due to injuries and Melvin Gordon’s dismissal, has undoubtedly contributed to the Broncos’ poor rankings in average rushing (24th at 104.3 yards), sacks allowed (29th with 36) and points per game (last with 14.3).
But Risner said that’s no excuse, and hopes the line the Broncos have rolled out the past couple of weeks can start to find its mojo. Against Baltimore this week, it will be Calvin Anderson at left tackle, Risner at left guard, Graham Glasgow at center, Quinn Meinerz at right guard and Cam Fleming at right tackle for the third week in a row.
“No matter the mixed bag of running backs we have, and the mixed bag of linemen we have, we’ve got to get the job done,” Risner said. “We want to impose our will better in the run game and we want to protect better in passing situations, and finish better near the end zone. If us as an offensive line puts that on our back, it will make our offense better and get us going.”
Denver’s front has been battling the injury bug all season.
Left tackle Garett Bolles suffered a season-ending broken leg in Week 5. Right tackle Billy Turner missed the first five games with a knee injury, played for four weeks, and then hurt his knee again in Week 10. Meinerz hurt his hamstring in Week 1, costing him four games, and Fleming also missed three games with a quad injury at midseason. Center Lloyd Cushenberry hurt his groin in Week 9 in London.
With starters dropping like flies, Glasgow filled in for four games at right guard for Meinerz and also spelled Cushenberry at center the last three weeks. Meanwhile, Anderson started Weeks 6, 8 and 10 at left tackle, Week 11 at right tackle and then went back to left tackle last week against Carolina.
“We’re trying to build that gel and that continuity,” Meinerz said. “It’s been tough with all the guys in and out, but I’m proud of what we’re doing and we’re sticking together. We had a pretty solid day of rushing against the Panthers, and this week, we’re trying to keep that going and run the ball even more effectively.”
In the 23-10 loss to Carolina, the Broncos recorded their first rush over 20 yards this year when Latavius Murray broke free for a 52-yard gain in the second quarter. Denver finished with 121 rushing yards, its third-best output of the season.
“Our top run before that had been 17 yards,” offensive coordinator Justin Outten said. “I gave them a challenge to get 18-plus two weeks ago. Last week, they got it. When they hit the 52-yarder, that sideline was jacked. (The offensive line) was committed to getting that done. I might have promised them something. They don’t know what it is, but they’ll get it hopefully tomorrow.”
Risner, who has battled ankle, shoulder, elbow and back injuries this year while playing every snap, wants to carry the momentum of that play into Sunday in Baltimore against the Ravens’ second-ranked run defense (82 yards allowed per game).
Risner emphasized the Broncos have to do a better job of keeping Russell Wilson upright. Many of the 225 sack yards the quarterback’s taken this year have come on coverage sacks and/or scrambling outside the pocket, but Risner said he’s willing to “take ownership for that.”
“We take that on us as an offensive line,” Risner said. “Point the finger at me… That’s what we get paid to do — keep (Wilson) clean. Whether it be a one-second quick release and getting it to the edge or seven seconds scrambling around and making a play happen, we want to make sure that we protect for him.”
While Turner remains sidelined, Cushenberry is due back soon. Cushenberry said he expects to return to practice next week and play Week 14 against the Chiefs. That will leave a roster decision for Hackett and his staff, who have praised the work Glasgow’s done at center since Cushenberry went down.
Cushenberry, who only missed one game in his first two seasons (last year due to COVID), said he’s not worried about losing his starting spot to Glasgow down the stretch.
“I know what I can bring,” Cushenberry said. “And if they do decide to do that, I’ll be a good teammate and I’ll still be one play away, as we’ve seen all year.”
This week, the Broncos will be tested by a Ravens front that likes to blitz and features veteran defensive lineman Calais Campbell, a Denver South product.
“We have to keep showing we’re a physical front no matter what the situation it, no matter what our record is,” Meinerz said. “They have a really good defensive front as they historically do. We have to be ready for their multiple fronts, their multiple looks, their stunts and blitz packages.”
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