NEW ORLEANS – Mike McGlinchey said what he did this week is not the ideal NFL formula.
The Broncos right tackle had been on injured reserve for four games with a bad knee. He was designated for return on Tuesday and activated off injured reserve before starting in Denver’s 33-10 win Thursday night over New Orleans at the Superdome.
“I don’t recommend taking five weeks off from football and just going out and playing without practice,’’ said McGlinchey, whose Broncos only had walk-through practices on a short week. “It was a little bit of a stressful week in that regard. But you got to do what you got to do I was able to play (Thursday). I’m happy.”
McGlinchey wasn’t the only key player the Broncos got back on Thursday. They also activated off injured reserve outside linebacker Baron Browning, who had missed four games with a foot injury, and cornerback Damarri Mathis, who had sat out the first six regular-season games after suffering an ankle injury in the preseason. Browning and Mathis got in for plays from scrimmage.
Browning had started the first two games this season before, like McGlinchey, getting hurt in Week 2 against Pittsburgh. Nik Bonitto continued to start Thursday for Browning and got a sack to become the second different Denver player in history to have sacks in five straight games, joining Von Miller.
Mathis was designated for return last week but was not activated. He was needed for depth Thursday due to star cornerback Pat Surtain II being out against the Saints with a concussion.
To make room on the roster, Denver waived rookie running back Blake Watson. A source said the Broncos want to re-sign Watson to the practice squad if he clears waivers and there is mutual interest in that.
The Broncos had previously waived safety Tanner McCalister and linebacker Kristian Welch on Tuesday to create two roster spots. Denver signed McCalister on Thursday to the practice squad, a move The Denver Gazette had first reported Wednesday. Welch signed with Baltimore's practice squad.
The Broncos on Thursday also elevated linebacker Kwon Alexander and offensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton from the practice squad to face the Saints. It was the first elevation of the season for Alexander, and he got the start. It was the second for Throckmorton.
Archie watches at home
Former Saints star Archie Manning, patriarch of the quarterback family, said the Broncos’ owners “were kind kind enough to invite” him and his wife Olivia to Thursday’s game. However, he opted to watch on television at his New Orleans home.
“I’m not getting around too well,’’ said Manning, the father of fellow former star quarterbacks Peyton, who played for Denver from 2012-15, and Eli.
Manning said he’s had six spinal surgeries and that he has neuropathy, which leads to numbness in his legs and feet that “affects my balance.” Overall, though, he is not complaining.
“I’m OK,’’ he said. “I’m 75. My inner health is good and I’m doing fine.”
Dulcich again inactive
For the third straight game, Broncos tight end Greg Dulcich was inactive in favor of Lucas Krull.
Dulcich had been active for the four games of the season before being replaced by Krull.
Other notable Denver inactive players were defensive lineman Eyimoa Uwazurike and outside linebacker Dondrea Tillman. Uwazurike had been inactive for first five games until being active last Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers. Tillman had been active for the last four games after being signed off the practice squad.
Also inactive for the Broncos were Surtain and tackle Alex Palczewski (ankle), who were both ruled out Wednesday, cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine and emergency quarterback Zach Wilson.
Inactive for the Saints were quarterback Derek Carr, tight end Taysom Hill, wide receiver Chris Olave, linebacker Pete Werner, running back Jordan Mims, defensive tackle Khalen Saunders and offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz.
Payton visits Brees
Broncos coach Sean Payton returned to New Orleans after having coached the Saints for 15 seasons until resigning after the 2021 season. His quarterback for 14 of those seasons was Drew Brees, who was inducted at halftime into the Saints Hall of Fame.
On Thursday afternoon, there was a banquet for Brees at the Hilton near the Superdome. Payton and several assistants and staff members who had previously been with the Saints stopped by.
“It was good to see and and get a chance to go over to the Hilton,’’ Payton said. “We were all kind of undressed in travel sweats. This is a city that dresses up a lot. It’s always good to see him.”
Payton said he got to the Superdome about six hours before Thursday’s game started at 7:15 p.m. local time.
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