Broncos OL Quinn Meinerz hospitalized after Sunday's game due to elevated heart rate

Denver Broncos (7-6) offensive lineman Quinn Meinerz spent Sunday night in a Los Angeles hospital after experiencing an elevated heart rate during the first half of his team’s 24-7 Week 14 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers (5-8).

Per Jeff Legwold of ESPN, Meinerz told team officials late in the first half that he was experiencing chest tightness and felt like he had an elevated heart rate. After an examination by the team’s medical staff in the locker room, the team transported Meinerz to the hospital. He returned to Denver Monday after experiencing no additional symptoms.

The Broncos listed Meinerz as a full participant on Tuesday’s injury report — an optimistic sign he’ll be able to play in the Week 15 road tilt against the Detroit Lions (9-4) this Saturday.

Broncos confident in depth behind Quinn Meinerz

Meinerz, the 2021 third-round pick out of Wisconsin-Whitewater, has been a mainstay on the Broncos’ offensive line for the past three seasons. He has appeared in 41 games (35 starts), allowing six sacks, per Pro Football Focus. Second-year player Luke Wattenberg filled-in for Meinerz at right guard after he left the game. Wattenberg, the 2022 fifth-round pick out of Washington, has appeared in 19 games (one start) over the past two seasons.

“We feel like we’ve got a really strong developmental group of offensive linemen and they’re smart and they’re tough and they’ve got the traits that we’re looking for. [Wattenberg] has done a good job and I thought he played well coming in in a moment like that,” Head coach Sean Payton said. “So I’m pleased with our depth there.”

The Broncos got back on track against the Chargers. They are just on the outside looking in of the seventh and final playoff spot in the AFC. The defense, much maligned during the early part of the season, continued its resurgence. Denver held Los Angeles to just 283 total yards and only 76 on the ground. The unit recorded six sacks, seven tackles for loss, nine quarterback hits and a pair of forced fumbles.

“Our defense has been amazing the last seven weeks-plus,” quarterback Russell Wilson said after the game. “They’ve been unstoppable. They’ve gotten turnovers, they’re making plays. We’re playing together.”