‘Makeshift’ Broncos o-line keeps Keenum clean in win vs. Chargers

Confidence in the Denver Broncos chances to come away with a win against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday plummeted on Friday with the news that starting guard Max Garcia tore his ACL and would be out for the season.

With the injury, Garcia will join center Matt Paradis and guard Ron Leary on injured reserve, throwing the Broncos offensive line into a scramble once again to fill positions.

But on Sunday, that “makeshift” offensive line — featuring Billy Turner at left guard, Connor McGovern at center, and Elijah Wilkinson at right guard — kept quarterback Case Keenum clean and helped Denver to a 100-yard rushing day in a 23-22 win.

“They got it done,” said 104.3 The Fan’s Orlando Franklin after the game. “They got it done when it mattered the most too. For them to go out there with that makeshift offensive line … They went out there, and they found a way.”

The unit did not let Keenum get sacked all day, allowing only four quarterback hits in the game, and did not have a holding penalty called against it.

After the game, head coach Vance Joseph indicated the whole unit earned a game ball for its play.

“Obviously, our offensive line, we’ve lost three of our interior starters and have two new starters inside — Billy and Eli — and we didn’t give up one sack with two Pro Bowl rushers,” Joseph said. “That speaks to the coaching and the guys in that room, and that room has been good all year for us.”

Running back Phillip Lindsay, who had 79 yards rushing on 11 attempts behind the unit, said he was “proud” of the offensive line, “especially the interior.”

“We had some major pieces go down within the offensive line and they stepped up,” Lindsay said. “They were physical and they got on top of the linebackers and the defensive linemen, so I had lanes. I am proud of them.”

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.