The Denver Broncos are dealing with problems at the center position after JD Walton's replacement Dan Koppen was injured in camp and one name that has come up to replace him is Peyton Manning's old Colts teammate Jeff Saturday.
Accoreding to Pro Football Talk, ESPN co-worker Ed Werder said the longtime Colts center isn't looking to comeback despite the injury, as he has lost weight since starting work on television. Saturday could change his mind, but right now it appears that he is planning to stay on TV. Koppen tore his ACL in 9-on-7 drills and now it's the second time that Broncos need to replace their center, as Koppen joined the team after JD Walton had a setback after injuring his ankle. Koppen is an 11-year vet in the NFL and he played for the Patriots for nine seasons and after having an MRI at training camp, he will be out for the rest of the season, likely leaving Manny Ramirez as the main option for the rest of camp.
Koppen has been a consistent player in the NFL over his career and his teams have 108 wins in the games that he has started in his career compared to just 28 losses. Peyton Manning now will be down another familiar name on the offensive line and Ryan Clady has been on the sidelines in camp since coming back to the team after signing a long extension and he is still recovering from shoulder surgery. Ramirez had 11 starts last season at right guard and Derek Wolfe from the defensive line was also sidelined after suffering an ankle injury.
Koppen re-signed after J.D. Walton's ankle surgery and the team kept the terms quiet and the report says that Walton may be out of action until at least October. There is a chance he could miss the entire season if he has complications while recovering from surgery, which is why the Broncos felt they had to bring back Koppen and now they need another option, likely Raimrez,
The surgery for Walton came after a previous surgery last season when he was put on injured reserve and the new procedure was to replace hardware that was put in for that original injury. The center was originally hurt last season in October and he was placed on season-ending IR with broken and dislocated left ankle and after that Koppen took over.
The 33-year-old had plenty of experience after playing 10 seasons with the Patriots and he started 12 games last season. The report says that Manny Ramirez, not that one, also saw time at center for the Broncos this year. The Broncos are going through some changes, including bringing in rookie running back Montee Ball and using Ronnie Hillman over Willis McGahee, who was cut over health issues. The Broncos went 13-3 last season and won the division and Manning was back to his usual self, throwing for 4,659 yards and 37 touchdowns. The duo of Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas has breakout seasons and the team is expected to be even better with Wes Welker coming in.