DENVER — The Broncos did not wait long to respond after another injury created an immediate problem along their offensive line.
Denver officially signed a 6-foot-3, 314-pound veteran center, adding badly needed experience as Sean Payton’s offensive-line depth continues taking hits.
The newest addition is Lecitus Smith, a former sixth-round draft pick who has already spent time with six different NFL organizations.
His arrival is not simply another late-training-camp transaction.
It comes directly after Denver lost center Michael Deiter for the entire 2026 season.
A Season-Ending Injury Forced Denver to Move Quickly
Deiter suffered a quad injury during Tuesday’s practice, and the situation immediately looked concerning when he was unable to continue.
Head coach Sean Payton later confirmed the severity, and Denver officially placed Deiter on injured reserve Thursday, ending his 2026 season.
That left the Broncos facing an uncomfortable numbers problem at center only days before their preseason opener against the Atlanta Falcons.
Starting center Luke Wattenberg has missed significant training-camp time before recently returning to practice, while Alex Forsyth has also been sidelined.
Suddenly, a position that appeared manageable entering camp needed another healthy body capable of stepping into the offense immediately.
Denver found one with NFL experience.
The Broncos Are Getting More Than Just a Camp Body
Smith entered the NFL in 2022 after the Arizona Cardinals selected him 215th overall in the sixth round out of Virginia Tech.
At 6-foot-3 and approximately 314 pounds, Smith offers the size and interior versatility Denver needs from a reserve offensive lineman.
He has experience playing both guard and center, giving Payton additional flexibility while the Broncos attempt to stabilize their interior depth.
Smith appeared in 10 games for Arizona during his rookie season before beginning a journey through several different organizations.
That journey included stops with the Houston Texans, Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers before his arrival in Denver.
For a team suddenly dealing with center injuries, that experience matters.
Smith Has Already Played Meaningful NFL Snaps
Smith is not arriving in Denver without professional experience.
Across his NFL career, he has appeared in 19 regular-season games with four starts, according to Mile High Report.
Eight of those appearances came with New England during the 2024 season.
He later returned to Green Bay and saw action again during the 2025 campaign.
In his lone Packers game appearance last season, Smith played 100 percent of Green Bay’s offensive snaps, according to Denver’s official announcement.
That could become particularly valuable for the Broncos because the timing of this signing leaves little room for a lengthy adjustment period.
Denver needs somebody capable of learning quickly.
Smith has already been through that process repeatedly.
His NFL Journey Has Been Anything but Straightforward
Arizona originally believed enough in Smith’s potential to spend a draft pick on him after his productive career at Virginia Tech.
But life for reserve offensive linemen can change quickly.
Smith moved from Arizona to Houston, then Philadelphia, before eventually finding another opportunity with Green Bay.
New England later signed him away from the Packers’ practice squad and placed him on its active roster.
Pittsburgh then claimed Smith after his Patriots tenure ended before the veteran eventually returned to Green Bay for another stint.
Now Denver becomes the next chapter.
Constant movement is rarely easy for an NFL player, but it can create one valuable quality.
Adaptability.
Smith has learned multiple systems, worked with different offensive-line coaches and entered unfamiliar locker rooms while continuing to fight for NFL opportunities.
Denver now needs that experience immediately.
The Broncos’ Center Situation Has Changed Fast
Before Deiter’s injury, Denver appeared to have several options behind Wattenberg.
That picture has changed considerably.
Wattenberg only recently returned after missing much of camp, while Forsyth’s absence has further reduced the available depth at center.
Veteran Calvin Throckmorton and undrafted rookie Gavin Ortega have taken snaps there, but neither carries extensive experience at the position.
That creates an obvious opportunity for Smith.
He might have joined Denver late, but he could receive meaningful preseason snaps almost immediately.
One Signing Could Change the Preseason Rotation
Denver faces Atlanta in its first preseason game, and the Broncos must carefully manage an offensive line already dealing with injuries.
That could put Smith into action faster than a normal player signed this late in camp.
There may be terminology to learn.
There will be communication adjustments.
Center also carries the additional responsibility of coordinating protections and working directly with quarterbacks before every snap.
But Denver did not bring Smith in because it has unlimited time.
The Broncos brought him in because they need help now.
Smith Is Still Fighting for His NFL Future
Nothing about Thursday’s signing guarantees Smith a place on Denver’s final 53-man roster.
When Wattenberg and Forsyth become fully available, the numbers could become significantly tighter.
Smith therefore enters another familiar situation.
He has an opportunity.
Now he has to turn it into something permanent.
A strong preseason performance could at minimum place Smith firmly in the conversation for a reserve role or practice-squad position.
His ability to play multiple interior positions could also help his case when final roster decisions arrive.
For backup offensive linemen, versatility is often survival.
Denver Turned an Injury Into an Immediate Opportunity
The circumstances surrounding Smith’s arrival are unfortunate.
Deiter’s season-ending injury removed an experienced player from Denver’s plans before preseason football had even properly begun.
But NFL rosters rarely stop moving because one player goes down.
The Broncos needed another center.
They responded by bringing in a 314-pound former sixth-round pick with 19 NFL appearances and four career starts.
Smith has already bounced through Arizona, Houston, Philadelphia, Green Bay, New England and Pittsburgh while refusing to let his NFL opportunity disappear.
Now he gets another chance in Denver.
And with the Broncos suddenly thin at center, their newest veteran may not have to wait long before being thrown directly into the fight.