Offensive line dance: Broncos shuffling around linemen
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos needed a lift at right tackle.
So they called an Uber driver. Jake Rodgers didn’t even charge them surge pricing, either.
The journeyman Rodgers, who’s relied on the ride-hailing service in the past to make ends meet, was summoned from the sideline Sunday against Detroit when Elijah Wilkinson hobbled out of the game with an ankle injury. Rodgers, who’s been a backup most of the season, received a high rating for his work — along with a game ball.
The offensive line could be a makeshift unit again Sunday in Denver’s regular-season finale against Oakland. Ja’Wuan James said he will not play because of a torn ligament in his left knee and Wilkinson remains questionable. Ron Leary is sidelined by a concussion.
Rookie Dalton Riser figures to be back at left guard after being pulled at halftime in a win over Detroit because of the flu. He just didn’t have the stamina and took a seat for Patrick Morris, who played in his first NFL game.
Morris performed well, too. The jumbled offensive line kept rookie quarterback Drew Lock safe all afternoon. They also opened up big holes for Phillip Lindsay, who rushed for 109 yards and a game-sealing score.
Hence, a game ball for Morris and Rodgers, a player who’s been released/waived around a dozen times throughout his career. “He went out there and did a great job,” Lindsay said of Rodgers. “He had to sit the whole year and then got thrown in there ... he was prepared.”
For that, Rodgers credits a resilient spirit. Since finishing his career at Eastern Washington, Rodgers has bounced around the league. He’s been signed and let go by Atlanta, New York Giants, Carolina, Pittsburgh (several times), Los Angeles Chargers, Houston, Baltimore and briefly even by Denver. But the Broncos brought him back to their practice squad on Sept. 2 and 12 days later added him to the active roster.
In between all the signings and releases, Rodgers stayed in shape by working out with a personal trainer. To defray the costs, he’s at times relied on Uber as he drove his GMC Yukon around Spokane, Wash.