Broncos’ Ben Powers Faces Extended Absence Due to Injury

Denver Broncos left guard Ben Powers will be sidelined for a significant period due to a torn biceps injury. Broncos head coach Sean Payton confirmed the news on Wednesday, detailing that Powers sustained the injury during the final offensive series of the Broncos’ 21-17 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on October 22, 2023, at Lincoln Financial Field.

Powers’ injury occurred while he was providing pass protection on a critical completion from quarterback Bo Nix to tight end Adam Trautman. Although Powers managed to finish the game, he did not travel with the team to England for their upcoming match and has since undergone surgery to repair the injury.

Impact on the Team

Payton addressed the situation publicly for the first time on Wednesday, noting the seriousness of Powers’ condition. The coach indicated that Powers is expected to miss at least two months. Injuries of this nature can sometimes lead to longer recovery periods, with other players in similar situations missing entire seasons.

“With a starting player, there’s always a — it’s never any good, but the next guy’s up and we’ll get ready to play him,” Payton said during a press conference following practice at the Tottenham Hotspur complex.

While Payton refrained from naming Powers’ immediate replacement, he mentioned that Matt Peart has experience at left guard, having worked in that position during training camp. Peart, who signed a two-year contract with the Broncos in March 2023, contributed as a backup last season and is viewed as a valuable depth player.

Payton expressed confidence in Peart’s abilities, stating, “We know exactly what we’re getting [in Peart], we’ll see how we handle it.” When asked if Peart would start in the upcoming game against the New York Jets, Payton remained non-committal, responding with, “We’ll see, we’ll see.”

Offensive Line Performance

Before Powers’ injury, the Broncos had maintained the same five offensive linemen throughout the first five games of the season. The team currently ranks second in the league with a pass block win rate of 74%, while their run block win rate stands at 70.9%.

Powers had been a consistent presence on the field, playing in 40 consecutive games, including a playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills last January. His absence will challenge the Broncos as they prepare for their next match, but the team remains focused on adapting and ensuring they continue their momentum.