The scene Wednesday morning was probably the last thing Broncos offensive lineman Casey Tucker envisioned when he reported to training camp last month: Delivering shotgun snaps to quarterback Russell Wilson during a walk-through portion of practice.
“No, I actually didn’t to be straight honest,” Tucker said with a laugh. “I didn’t picture that.”
What the Broncos didn’t picture this week was seeing their center position depleted. Starter Lloyd Cushenberry (knee) missed all four days of practice and rookie Luke Wattenberg (ankle) missed three days after being injured against Dallas. His status for Saturday’s preseason game at Buffalo is uncertain.
Sometimes guard/sometimes center Graham Glasgow moved up to the first unit and Tucker elevated from complete obscurity — a snap here, a snap there during camp and listed as a 6-foot-6, 315-pound tackle on the roster — to second- and third-team center.
“In the lifespan of my football career, center is pretty new,” Tucker said. “This is my first real year taking ownership of the position and I’m pretty excited about it. I like it a lot. It’s a good challenge.”
A good challenge that could lead to a good chance to make the roster. If he plays well at center and/or guard over the final two exhibition games, his versatility could merit a practice squad spot.
“It’s a great opportunity,” Tucker said. “I’m just starting to learn that I can physically adjust to the position and I want to show that to the organization.”
Tucker, 26, started his college career at Stanford (22 starts over three years at offensive tackle) and graduated with a philosophy degree. He transferred home to Arizona State (he grew up in the Phoenix area) for his final season. He said he played a “little bit” of guard, but not center.
Undrafted in 2019, Tucker began the journeyman odyssey — and all roads usually led back to the Philadelphia Eagles.
2019: Concussion in Philadelphia training camp. … Waived by the Eagles. … Two days on Detroit’s practice squad.
2020: Waived post-draft by Detroit, claimed by Eagles. … Waived in camp, spent time on practice squad.
2021: Indianapolis during offseason, back to Philadelphia. … Biceps injury in camp/injury settlement. … Released from Eagles practice squad, signed to Broncos practice squad for 12 days. … Back to Philadelphia (only regular season game). … It was with the Eagles, Tucker said, “I found out I could snap.”
2022: Signed with Broncos Jan. 20. … Played 38 snaps at guard and center against Dallas.
How did Tucker stay positive through his travels?
“It’s just as simple as I’ve always believed in myself,” he said. “I’ve gone against a lot of good players in my career and never really felt I didn’t belong physically. I blocked guys like Josh Sweat and Fletcher Cox (in Philadelphia) and now Bradley Chubb and Dre’Mont Jones (with the Broncos) and they’re going to challenge you and anybody in this league. There’s no reason I can’t do that.”
Overall, Tucker said playing center is “not totally different,” than playing guard or tackle.
“Just having to move around (along the line), it helps me feel the game and adjust to the angles, especially in the run game,” he said. “It has given me a new understanding of the game, which I also like a lot because you’re not in one tunnel of just left tackle or just right tackle.”
Throughout practice this week, Tucker conferred with coaches and the quarterbacks about everything.
“I’m definitely working on communication,” he said. “(Center is) still new in my life, but being very demonstrative and clear with the communication starts with me. It’s, ‘Bam, bam,’ no question. Physically, I feel like I can adapt to center really well. It feels comfortable and it feels right.”
