Ramifications of Backup C Michael Deiter Being Carted Off at Broncos Camp

The Denver Broncos were already stretched at the center position. They ended Tuesday even thinner.

That's because backup C Michael Deiter was carted off during training camp practice with an apparent injury suffered in 9-on-7 drills. He did not return to practice and was replaced by veteran lineman Calvin Throckmorton.

Head coach Sean Payton failed to provide an update on Deiter's immediate status, suggesting he's undergoing an evaluation to determine the severity.

A former Dolphins third-round pick, Deiter is entering his second season with the Broncos after joining the club's practice squad in January and subsequently inking a reserve/future deal. The 30-year-old (in September) arrived to Denver following stops in Miami, Houston, and Washington.

Deiter had been assuming primary center responsibilities with starter Luke Wattenberg and direct backup Alex Forsyth both battling injuries and working off to the side amid Tuesday's session.

Deiter is the latest in a long line of Broncos players to go down since camp opened. The list also includes the aforementioned Wattenberg and Forsyth, wide receivers Jaylen Waddle and Marvin Mims, and defensive lineman Matt Henningsen, who suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon last week.

"I don’t think it’s heat-related as much as you always try to look at your pre-practice routine, your hydration, obviously. It’s incumbent on the player," Payton said of the injury epidemic on Monday. "It’s hard for anyone to know your soft tissue. So I’m always looking at, all right, what did we do leading up to maybe a period where someone had a strain? We had a warm-down after practice, and we’ll continue to focus on it, though."

The Butterfly Effect

As mentioned, Deiter was Denver's third option at center with Wattenberg and Forsyth unavailable. Throckmorton, a more natural guard by trade, was forced into the pivot for the remainder of Tuesday. The latter will likely continue operating as such on Wednesday.

Other in-house options include undrafted rookie Gavin Ortega, who sailed an errant snap on Monday, and perennial All-Pro right guard Quinn Meinerz, who holds some previous center experience (some last preseason) — and would be up to filling in temporarily if called upon.

"I gotta have it in the back pocket," Meinerz told reporters. "I know that it's important I add that value to the offensive line room, in an emergency situation."

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