Luke Wattenberg
DEN (12)
Sun 1/25/26 1:47 PM

Wattenberg (shoulder) is active for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Patriots, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.
EDGE Analysis
Wattenberg was activated from injured reserve Saturday, and the fourth-year pro has been officially cleared to play in his first game since Week 16 after recovering from a shoulder injury. He should reclaim his starting job at center, and Alex Forsyth -- who filled in at center in Wattenberg's absence -- will not play Sunday due to an ankle injury.

Luke Wattenberg
DEN (12)
Sat 1/24/26 5:56 PM

The Broncos activated Wattenberg (shoulder) from injured reserve Saturday.
EDGE Analysis
Wattenberg is still listed as questionable to play in Sunday's elimination game, but the activation from injured reserve is a strong sign that the center will be able to suit up. With Alex Forsyth (ankle) also listed as questionable, the Broncos likely want to have every offensive lineman possibly available on the active roster.

Luke Wattenberg
DEN (12)
Fri 1/23/26 5:27 PM

Wattenberg (shoulder) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Patriots.
EDGE Analysis
Wattenberg was a full participant in practice throughout the week, so the center's odds of being activated from injured reserve are high. Alex Forsyth (ankle), who has been operating as the starting center, is also questionable to play. Both linemen will likely be able to suit up, but in a situation where neither can go, Sam Mustipher will be the starting center in Sunday's playoff game.

Luke Wattenberg
DEN (12)
Wed 1/21/26 6:11 PM

The Broncos designated Wattenberg (shoulder) to return from injured reserve Wednesday, Aric DiLalla of the team's official site reports.
EDGE Analysis
Wattenberg suffered a shoulder injury in late December that required extensive recovery time. Alex Forsyth (ankle) took over as the starting center in his absence and has played since Week 17. With Forsyth injuring his ankle in last Saturday's overtime playoff victory over the Bills, Wattenberg's potential return for Sunday's AFC Conference Championship Game against the Patriots would be a huge addition to the offensive line. In a doomsday scenario where neither Wattenberg nor Fosyth can suit up, the task of protecting backup quarterback Jared Stidham would fall to Sam Mustipher.

Luke Wattenberg
DEN (12)
Thu 12/25/25 8:37 PM

Wattenberg (shoulder) was placed on injured reserve Thursday, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official website reports.
EDGE Analysis
Wattenberg suffered a shoulder injury at some point within the last week, and he will now be sidelined through the end of the regular season and potentially multiple playoff games. In his absence, Alex Forsyth will operate as Denver's starting center.

Luke Wattenberg
DEN (12)
Wed 12/24/25 11:34 PM

Wattenberg (shoulder) has been ruled out for Thursday night's matchup against the Chiefs.
EDGE Analysis
Wattenberg is dealing with an apparent shoulder injury which sidelined him for the team's entire week of practice. In his absence, Alex Forsyth will be a top candidate to draw the start at center versus Kansas City.

Luke Wattenberg
DEN (12)
Tue 11/25/25 8:52 PM

Wattenberg and the Broncos agreed on a four-year, $48 million contract extension Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
EDGE Analysis
The deal includes $27 million guaranteed for the 2022 fifth-rounder. The Broncos have locked up another key piece on its offensive front, as Wattenberg has been the team's full-time starter at center over the last two seasons. He missed four games during the 2024 regular season due to an ankle injury, but he has started in each of the Broncos' first 11 games of the 2025 campaign.

Luke Wattenberg
DEN (12)
Sun 11/10/24 11:38 AM

Wattenberg (ankle) is active for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.
EDGE Analysis
After logging back-to-back full practices to end Week 10 prep, Wattenberg was activated off injured reserve Saturday and will be active for the first time since suffering a knee injury in Week 5. Wattenberg was Denver's starting center before the injury, but Alex Forsyth has taken over those responsibilities in recent weeks. Wattenberg was seen taking first-team reps during pre-game warmups, per Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post.

Luke Wattenberg
DEN (12)
Sat 11/9/24 9:45 PM

Denver activated Wattenberg (ankle) from injured reserve Saturday, Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
Wattenberg was placed on injured reserve Oct. 11 after suffering a knee injury in Week 6 against the Chargers. He has spent the four-game minimum on IR, and he could suit up Sunday against the Chiefs after logging consecutive full practices to end the week.

Luke Wattenberg
DEN (12)
Wed 11/6/24 5:21 PM

Wattenberg (ankle) was designated to return from injured reserve Wednesday, per the NFL's transaction log.
EDGE Analysis
The third-year offensive lineman from Washington has dealt with this ankle injury since the middle of training camp, but Wednesday's designation to return suggests he could nearing a full recovery. Wattenberg now has 21 days to be activated to the Broncos' active roster before reverting to IR.