The Denver Broncos are in training camp and preparing for a Super Bowl run with Peyton Manning at the helm for the second year and after losing to the Baltimore Ravens last season in the playoffs, the team will have a major player to replace, as center Dan Koppen is out for the year after tearing his left ACL.
According to Pro Football Talk, Koppen tore his ACL in 9-on-7 drills and now its 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 was important to the team last season while starting 12 games in place of Walton and now Manning will have to take snaps from yet another new player this offseason. The team is hoping to get further in the playoffs this season and the addition of Wes Welker to the offense should only strengthen things for the Broncos and Manning.
