Luke Wattenberg is officially back.
Bo Nix’s season is officially over.
The Broncos finalized those expected moves for their starting center and starting quarterback Saturday, according to the league’s transaction wire.
Denver put Nix on injured reserve after he broke a bone in his ankle last week and had surgery to repair the injury Tuesday. They activated Wattenberg from injured reserve to take Nix’s roster spot, putting him in line to start for Denver on Sunday against New England in the AFC Championship game.
Wattenberg, who signed a four-year, $48 million extension earlier in the season, was a full participant in practice all week. That sets the stage for him to jump back into the starting lineup. Fellow center Alex Forsyth, who started the past three games in Wattenberg’s place, is questionable with an ankle injury.
Nix has been ticketed for injured reserve since breaking a bone in his ankle in the waning seconds of overtime against Buffalo last week. The Broncos typically make IR placements on Saturday and followed the same procedure with their starting quarterback.
Bandy, Moore up. In addition to those moves, Denver is elevating veteran wide receivers Michael Bandy and Elijah Moore from the practice squad.
Bandy has been the next man up at receiver for the Broncos because of his ability to play every spot. He caught a touchdown against Green Bay, the first of his career.
Moore was also elevated for the Divisional game against Buffalo but was inactive on game day.
Moore has not yet appeared in a game for the Broncos since signing earlier in the season, but he brings speed to the equation. Broncos second-year receiver Troy Franklin (hamstring) is questionable to play Sunday. If he’s unable to go, Moore could slide into Denver’s receiver rotation with Courtland Sutton, Pat Bryant, Marvin Mims Jr. and Lil’Jordan Humphrey.
Hollins back for NE. New England, meanwhile, activated wide receiver Mack Hollins (abdominal) from injured reserve Saturday and put defensive tackle Eric Gregory on IR. The Patriots also announced DT Joshua Farmer and RB Terrell Jennings had been downgraded to out and did not make the trip to Denver.
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