Broncos RT Mike McGlinchey’s return from knee sprain “quicker than expected”

Right tackle Mike McGlinchey is one of the most important players on the Broncos’ roster, and there’s a $87.5 million contract to validate that statement.
When McGlinchey left practice Aug. 8 due to a knee sprain, there was some concern given that he was the centerpiece of an offseason overhaul of the offensive line. But he is back in full strength after the injury scare.
“It’s great to get back,” McGlinchey said after Wednesday’s practice. “Our training staff did an unbelievable job, and I was able to get back a little bit quicker than expected.”
McGlinchey was sidelined for two weeks, missing all three preseason games. McGlinchey, safety Justin Simmons (groin) and wide receiver Brandon Johnson (ankle) returned to practice Aug. 22.
Even though McGlinchey didn’t play any snaps during the preseason games, he thought the two-day joint practices with the Los Angeles Rams were valuable.
Head coach Sean Payton knew McGlinchey would not play in the preseason finale against the Rams, but the amount of reps he played at practice exceeded a game.
“Those joint practices (were) a great test,” he said. “They (are) a great way to (train your) mind to compete in a game situation. Practices are like playing in a preseason game, so it was incredible getting like bullets from a different jersey.”
McGlinchey said Denver’s revamped offensive line wants to be consistent. With the addition of left guard Ben Powers and Garett Bolles healthy, McGlinchey has embraced the group’s high expectations.
“I think we’re taking the right steps to get there,” he said. “I hope the rest of the team has felt that during training camp because we worked pretty good.”
Williams’ Week 1 snap count unclear
When Payton was asked about running back Javonte Williams, he knocked on the wooden podium for good luck.
Payton said Williams continues to progress well from his torn ACL, but hasn’t decided how many snaps the third-year running back will play in the season-opener against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sept. 10.
He expects to have discussions about Williams’ playing time in Week 1 before Monday.
“We’ll have a balance,” Payton said. “There will be a few players that we have to pay attention to. I know it’s a regular season game, but you still have a minutes plan. We will have that with (Williams).”
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DENVER, CO - APRIL 19: Denver Post sports reporter Ryan McFadden before the first quarter between the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena in Denver on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Ryan McFadden is a Denver Broncos reporter for The Post. Before joining the Post, Ryan was a Ravens and Maryland Terrapins writer for the Baltimore Sun, where he earned Associated Press Sports Editors top 10 honors in event coverage. He was also a high school sports reporter for the Washington Post and covered Super Bowl 54 for Capital News Service.
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