Broncos sign a backup center to add depth to interior of o-line

The Denver Broncos have signed veteran center Lecitus Smith after a string of injuries left the center room dangerously thin heading into the preseason

BY JOEY FREEBURG

Aug 13, 2026, 5:15 PM

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The move comes after the team placed Michael Deiter on season-ending injured reserve on Thursday. Deiter suffered a quad injury during practice on Tuesday and was carted off the field.

“I don’t have the specifics, but it’s going to require surgery,” Sean Payton said.

The loss left Denver with just Calvin Throckmorton and undrafted rookie Gavin Ortega as healthy centers, with starter Luke Wattenberg and backup Alex Forsyth also sidelined by injuries. The Broncos held tryouts for three linemen on Thursday between Smith, offensive tackle Timothy McKay and center Gus Zilinskas. Smith won the job.

Smith, 28, played at Virginia Tech and was a sixth-round pick by the Arizona Cardinals in 2022. He’s appeared in 19 games with four starts across stints with the Cardinals, Texans, Eagles, Patriots, Packers and Steelers. Most recently, he spent the 2025 season on Green Bay’s practice squad.

It’s unclear if Smith will be available for Friday’s preseason opener against the Atlanta Falcons, but his addition provides much-needed depth at a position that has been hit harder than any other during camp. All-Pro guard Quinn Meinerz and fourth-round rookie Kage Casey are also capable of sliding over to center in an emergency.

The Broncos will need to continue addressing the position before the regular season begins.