J.D.

Walton

Denver expressed some interest in C Jeff Saturday, but Peyton Manning’s former teammate claims the Packers “wanted him more”. Walton was Pro Football Focus’ worst-rated center in 2011, but the lack of enthusiastic interest in Saturday hints Denver isn’t ready to give up on the former 80th overall pick in the draft.

Walton’s injury must be serious, as he’s never missed a start since entering the league as a third-round pick in 2010. He couldn’t put any weight on his leg as he walked off the field. Dan Koppen is now in the game at center for the Broncos.

Walton was blocking for Lance Ball when he got rolled up on from behind by Raiders DE Jack Crawford. Walton had previously missed just one snap in his three-year career. Ex-Patriot Dan Koppen will slide into the lineup and won’t be much of a downgrade. Interestingly enough, Koppen’s first start of the season will come against his former team.

It’s a tough blow for the Broncos, but they have a readymade replacement in veteran Dan Koppen. Koppen missed just one game for the Patriots between 2006-10 before a broken leg limited him to one game in 2011. Walton had previously missed only one snap after joining the Broncos as a third-round pick in 2010, but had a tough 2011 before getting off to a solid start this season. He’s signed through 2013.

Per reporter Jeff Legwold, Walton could return in the second half if “all goes well in healing.” It’s a blow for the Broncos, who don’t have a viable alternative after opting not to re-sign Walton’s 2012 fill-in Dan Koppen. Walton had previously never missed a game before going down in Week 4. The Broncos could re-sign Koppen — the top remaining center in Nick Mensio’s free agent ranks — but he was little better than replacement level. Jeff Faine and Eugene Amano are other possibilities. In house, displaced guard Chris Kuper has never played center. G Manuel Ramirez is an option. As for Walton, missing 28 straight games would certainly put his NFL future into question even though he’s only 26. He’s entering the last year of his rookie contract.

Walton started the first 36 games of his career before fracturing his ankle in Week 4 of 2012, an injury that landed him on injured reserve. Entering the final year of his contract, Walton should re-assume his starting duties with veteran Dan Koppen ticketed for free agency.

Walton fractured his ankle in late September. The Broncos don’t seem concerned any longer with Walton’s recovery. “He’s definitely the starter,” Fox confirmed. “And that’s the way he’ll start the season when we form back up. Like everywhere, he still has to compete, but that’s the starting point.”

He didn’t have trouble overtaking Dustin Fry. Russ Hochstein might be with the ones if he wasn’t coming off a torn ACL, but Walton is the favorite to start as it stands. His nasty mentality fits Denver’s new power-blocking scheme.

The Broncos are holding out hope Walton can return sometime between Weeks 6 and 9. It remains an unlikely outcome. Walton’s continued ankle problems have shown no signs of clearing up, leaving Manny Ramirez as the Week 1 starting center. Dan Koppen (ACL) is done for the year.

He’ll go on reserve/PUP at final cuts. Walton underwent a second surgery on his troublesome ankle in June. The Broncos are hopeful he’ll be able to play in the season’s second half “if all goes well with healing.” Nick Koppen will be Denver’s starter in Week 1. Walton is in the last year of his contract.