Why Sean Payton Isn't Concerned About Broncos' Center Crisis

Heading into preseason Game 2, the Denver Broncos remain considerably shorthanded at the center position — with neither starter Luke Wattenberg nor backup Alex Forsyth certain to suit up Friday against the Green Bay Packers.

First-stringers, including quarterback Bo Nix, are expected to play roughly 14 snaps or so versus Green Bay. Obviously, in an ideal world, Wattenberg would be out there with the rest of them.

But if he's not, head coach Sean Payton isn't concerned about getting Wattenberg — who's dealing with a vague injury — ready for the games that really matter.

“One of his strengths is that he’s exceptionally instinctive and smart, so that transition back to fully healthy is going to be important as opposed to hurrying back. From today, we’ve got a lot of time still," Payton told reporters following Wednesday's training camp practice.

Wattenberg's issue was compounded by Forsyth presumably suffering something similar, restricting him from team drills for much of camp. Another blow came last week when third-string center Michael Dieter sustained a season-ending quad injury.

The Broncos were forced to move natural guard-turned-pivot man Calvin Throckmorton up the depth chart for last week's preseason opener at Atlanta.

Throckmorton could pinch-hit once again this week, while Wattenberg continues to get right ahead of Denver's regular-season debut in Kansas City on Sept. 14.