Denver’s depth at guard took a hit as Nick Gargiulo was placed on injured reserve with a season-ending injury, leaving the Broncos with veteran backups Calvin Throckmorton and Will Sherman now tasked with larger roles in the interior. Denver immediately pivoted to the free-agent market, signing Adam Prentice at fullback as Michael Burton deals with a hamstring issue and Nate Adkins is sidelined by an ankle procedure. Prentice, a CSU alum with long ties to Payton and Paton, provides a seasoned blocker and special-teams option to stabilize run- and pass-blocking schemes while the rookie Gargiulo recovers. The club is balancing a tightened depth chart as it prepares for the season, with Prieskorn taking some FB looks in run plays as Prentice arrives to reinforce the position.

The Denver Broncos placed Nick Gargiulo on season-ending injured reserve after a knee injury in Saturday night’s preseason win against Arizona. Gargiulo, a 6-5, 310-pound seventh-round pick from South Carolina, was vying for a swing guard/center role before the injury ends his 2025 season prior to the 53-man roster. To fill Gargiulo’s spot on the 91-man offseason roster, Denver signed fullback Adam Prentice, a move aimed at bolstering blocking and depth behind Michael Burton and Nate Adkins, who are dealing with injuries.

Broncos injury news also includes rookie corner Joshua Pickett with a wrist/thumb issue and outside linebacker Garret Wallow leaving the game with an ankle injury. Burton (hamstring) and Adkins (ankle) were limited as the team continues to piece together its Week 1 picture. Prentice’s addition signals a depth-forward approach at the fullback/linebacker mix rather than a sweeping lineup shift, as Denver navigates roster decisions ahead of the regular season.

Fantasy managers should monitor how Denver reshapes interior-line rotation and how Prentice is used in goal-line and short-yardage plays, especially with Burton and Adkins sidelined. Gargiulo’s IR clears roster-space chatter, but the Broncos’ move to add Prentice underscores a practical, depth-conscious plan rather than a dramatic positional overhaul as the team approaches Week 1.

The Broncos rolled with Jarrett Stidham in the exhibition win over Arizona, cruising to a 27-7 victory. Stidham finished 16 of 23 for 240 yards and two touchdowns, directing Denver through a sharp opening drive that featured Evan Engram and rookie Pat Bryant on the highlights. RJ Harvey punched in Denver’s first TD, while Troy Franklin added a late score to seal the margin. Will Lutz provided three field goals, with the defense bending but mostly bending-less in the second half. Broncos injuries to Nick Gargiulo and Garrett Wilson were noted as they head toward the finale against New Orleans.

Arizona answered early but stagnated after the opening sequence, with Jacoby Brissett tossing a 16-yard TD to Simi Fehoko before Tune took over and Denver extended the lead behind continued big plays from Franklin and Fehoko. The night showcased Denver’s depth at skill positions and a QB competition under Payton’s watch, while the Cardinals evaluated Tune and the young pass catchers. A strong preseason push leaves fantasy managers eyeing expanding roles for the Broncos’ playmakers as the regular season approaches.

Denver's offensive-line depth is tested after Nick Gargiulo left Saturday's preseason game with a knee injury against Arizona. Gargiulo, a seventh-round pick from South Carolina (and Yale prior), could miss time, opening questions about the Broncos' interior rotation. The injury adds urgency to how Denver prioritizes its swing-guard/center option and how quickly the team evaluates its 53-man roster plans.

If Gargiulo is out, Luke Wattenberg remains the starter at center, backed by Alex Forsyth and undrafted rookie Joe Michalski. Guards Calvin Throckmorton, Will Sherman, and Clay Webb will compete for snaps. The update underscores how quickly interior-line depth can shift in the preseason and what that means for Week 1 protection schemes and fantasy considerations of Broncos blockers.

The Broncos rode to a productive showing from the backups in their preseason tilt with the Cardinals, but the night will be remembered for a worrying knee injury to Nick Gargiulo, a seventh‑round rookie from South Carolina who spent 2024 on Denver’s practice squad and had been pushing for a roster spot this season. The injury, seen as potentially season‑ending, compounds Denver’s already lengthy injury report as the team continues to sort depth on the line. Veteran disruptions also loom with Matt Henningsen and Johnny Walker Jr. out for the year, while Drew Sanders and Nate Adkins are expected to miss the start of the season, thinning interior and tackle depth by design.

Fantasy and dynasty managers should take note of the ripple effects. Gargiulo’s loss tightens the competition for reserve OL jobs and could shift who gets late‑season opportunities or practice squad stashes. The Broncos will lean on the next‑man‑up group to absorb more reps in the weeks ahead, and the Cardinals game underscored how critical depth on the line becomes as the roster transitions from preseason depth to regular-season roles. Updates on Gargiulo’s prognosis will matter for late‑round picks and top backup targets alike.