The Denver Broncos have been without starting guard Ben Powers for two months, but the team may have him back in the lineup very soon.
Powers has been sidelined after tearing his biceps during the team's Week 5 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. On Wednesday, the Broncos opened his window to return from injured reserve. That means that he will have 21 days to get back on the field, but he can begin practicing with the team now.
The Broncos are starting to get healthier as they head towards the playoffs and potentially, the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Getting Powers back in the lineup will be huge.
With Powers in the lineup, the Broncos averaged 146 yards per game on the ground. Without him, that number has dropped to 104 yards. Granted, the team did have J.K. Dobbins in the lineup for those games, but having Powers back will only help RJ Harvey.
Powers had never missed a game during his time with the Broncos before the injury. Matt Peart got the first chance to replace him but was injured in his first start. The Broncos have turned to Alex Palczewski since then and he has done a fine job, but the Broncos will welcome their starter back with open arms.
It is possible that Powers could be back on the field this Sunday against the Green Bay Packers, but the team may opt not to rush him out onto the field and take the entire 21-day window before choosing to activate him. That may be the smartest approach, as Palczewski has been a capable fill-in.
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The Broncos are quite healthy heading into their Week 15 showdown with the Packers, but it does look like rookie wide receiver Pat Bryant will be held out due to a hamstring injury. That could lead to the Broncos elevating one of the receivers on the practice squad. Michael Bandy, A.T. Perry and Kyrese Rowan and Elijah Moore would be the options if that were to be the case.
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