Bobby

Massie

The Broncos will have to fend off the pesky Kansas City pass rush without their top right tackle. KC’s resurgent defense could have a field day against the Drew Lock-led Broncos in Denver’s season finale.

Sidelined since Week 9 because of an ankle injury, Massie also got in a limited session on Wednesday. Those two practices suggest he has a good shot to return this week. LT Garett Bolles was activated from the COVID list on Wednesday and also looks on track to play.

With LT Garret Bolles on the COVID list, the Broncos will be without both starting tackles in this one. Also inactive for the Broncos are S Kareem Jackson (neck, shoulder), DE Shelby Harris (ankle), QB Brett Rypien, S Jamar Johnson, and WR Tyrie Cleveland.

With Garett Bolles still on the COVID list, it’s possible Denver will be without both of their starting tackles in a nightmarish matchup against Los Angeles’ healthy front-seven. Calvin Anderson and Cam Fleming are expected to get the start in Week 12.

Likely to be joining Bolles on the shelf are RT Bobby Massie (ankle) and RG Graham Glasgow (broken leg). Bolles missed last week’s stunner over the Cowboys, though Massie and Glasgow were both hurt in the process. It’s bad news against an Eagles defense that is much more effective vs. the run than pass, though Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon are still both going to be fed the ball.

Massie left early in the first half and was ruled out to begin the third quarter. Veteran Cameron Fleming is in the game at right tackle for Denver.

32 in August, Massie has started 110 games across his nine-year career, mainly at right tackle. He gives the Broncos a quality replacement for Ja’Wuan James (Achilles’, NFI). From left to right, the Broncos should start LT Garett Boles, LG Dalton Risner, C Lloyd Cushenberry, RG Graham Glasgow, and RT Massie.

Massie was joined by fellow free agent RTs Cameron Fleming, Dennis Kelly, and Jermaine Eluemunor, as the Broncos search for a replacement for Ja’Wuan James, who recently tore his Achilles’ and is on the NFI list. Massie will be 32 in August and has 110 games of starting experience with the Cardinals and Bears.

Massie is one of many salary cap casualties who will hit free agency in the coming days. Parting ways with Massie will save the Bears more than $5 million against the cap in 2021. Chicago is projected to be around $7 million over the cap at the start of the league’s new year. Pro Football Focus graded Massie as the 36th best pass blocking tackle in 2020. He’s certain to draw interest from teams this offseason.

Massie was injured on the fourth play of the Bears’ Week 8 loss to the Saints. He could reportedly miss up to a month of action. It’s especially bad news since Massie’s Week 8 fill-in Jason Spriggs was just placed on the COVID-19 list. LT Charles Leno is the only currently active, healthy tackle on the 53-man roster. That is going to be a problem against the Titans. Rookie seventh-rounder Lachavious Simmons will presumably be promoted from the practice squad, though he might not start. There will be some shifting along the Bears’ line.