ENGLEWOOD – After missing nine games following biceps surgery and coming off the bench in two, Broncos left guard Ben Powers is ready for his first start since Oct. 5 at Philadelphia. Powers told The Denver Gazette after Friday’s practice at Broncos Park that he expects to start in Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High. “Yeah, I think that’s the plan,’’ he said. Powers, who had started all 39 games he played for the Broncos since joining them as a free agent in 2023, suffered a torn biceps muscle against the Eagles and was placed on injured reserve. He was activated Dec. 20 and in his first two games back, he alternated at left guard with Alex Palczewski, who had filled in when Powers was out. “At first, I didn’t like it, but being out for 10 weeks, it was the smart thing to do,’’ Powers said about first being informed of the rotation plan. Palczewski started Dec. 21 against Jacksonville and played 43 snaps to Powers’ 23. Palczewski again started Dec. 25 at Kansas City but played 31 snaps to 41 for Powers, setting the stage for Powers to return to the lineup. Powers said he’s not sure if Palczewski will rotate in against the Chargers, and some of it depends on how the game goes. The Broncos (13-3) can clinch the AFC’s top playoff seed with a win. They are a 12.5-point favorite over the Chargers (11-5), who will rest some starters, including star quarterback Justin Herbert, due to having clinched a playoff berth and knowing they will open on the road. Before being hurt against the Eagles, Powers had played in 56 straight games, not missing one since he sat out Baltimore’s regular-season finale in 2021. The seven-year veteran said it was difficult being out for 2 ½ months. “It was depressing being on IR,’’ he said. “It was just terrible. You see the success that the team’s having without you, and all those questions go on in your head. It feels like a cloud of depression is following you everywhere you go. I’m happy to be back.” Nevertheless, Powers said he informed about 15 family members in Wichita, Kan., not to take the three-hour drive to see him against the Chiefs on Christmas night. “I told them to stay home because I’m not playing the whole game,’’ Powers said. Powers, though, said those family members will come to Denver when the Broncos are in the playoffs. Bonitto pulls off a double Nik Bonitto has pulled off a first-time double. As chosen by the Pro Football Writers of America Denver Chapter, the Broncos outside linebacker was named Friday the recipient of both the Demaryius Thomas Team MVP Award and the Darrent Williams Good Guy Award. The MVP award, named for the former Broncos receiver who died in 2021, was handed out for the fifth straight season. The Good Guy Award, named for the Denver cornerback who died in 2007, was awarded for the 19th straight year. Bonitto is the first to win both in the same season. “It honestly, truly, is an honor to get recognized not just for my play but for my character as a person,’’ Bonitto said. “Knowing (of) the two guys before me that are named after the awards with Demaryius and Darrent being such high-character guys in the locker room and in Denver, they’ve held a high standard and I’m just trying to live to that standard every day.” Bonitto leads the Broncos with 12.5 sacks entering Sunday’s finale. The Good Guy award goes to a Broncos player who provides enthusiasm, cooperation and honesty while dealing with the media. Bonitto said he was “kind of shocked” to win the award but that it was “pretty cool” when he heard about it. Bonitto, in his fourth Denver season, said he has observed Broncos tackle Mike McGlinchey, the 2023 Good Guy winner, and outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper, the 2024 winner, in their dealings with the media. “I knew I kind of had the intangibles to be up for those types of awards,’’ Bonitto said. “I just had to wait my turn a little bit.” Greenlaw to miss second straight game Dre Greenlaw will miss his second straight game Sunday. The Broncos ruled out the linebacker on Friday. He hurt his hamstring late in the game against the Jaguars and then sat out against the Chiefs. He has not taken part in practice since being hurt. The Broncos listed defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers as questionable for Sunday with a hip injury. Franklin-Myers got in for just 11 snaps against the Chiefs due to the injury and was limited all week in practice. Wide receiver Pat Bryant (concussion) and tight end Nate Adkins (knee) both have no injury designation after sitting out against the Chiefs. Denver also announced that rookie linebacker Karene Reid, who was designated for return from injured reserve Dec. 17, will not be activated for Sunday’s game. It will be the seventh straight game missed by Reid, who had suffered a hamstring injury. The Broncos will need to decide by Tuesday whether to activate Reid or shelve him for the playoffs. With the Chargers resting starters, another to sit out could be star linebacker Khalil Mack. Like Herbert, he didn’t practice Friday. The Chargers on their injury report officially listed running back Omarion Hampton (concussion), cornerback Nikko Reed (hamstring) as out, defensive back Elijah Molden (hamstring) and offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer (hamstring) as doubtful and center Bradley Bozeman (concussion), running backs Hassan Haskins (concussion) and Kimani Vidal (neck), safety R.J. Mickens (shoulder) and cornerback Benjamin St-Juste as questionable. No elevation for Ehlinger Broncos third-string quarterback Sam Ehlinger, who has one elevation left this season from the practice squad, said one won’t be used on him Saturday for Sunday’s game. “We’re not going to do it this week, but we’ve talked about some things for the playoffs, so we’ll see how it shakes,’’ Ehlinger told The Denver Gazette. The Broncos have elevated Ehlinger twice this season without activating him to get a bigger game check as a thanks for his loyalty. He has turned down offers to join a 53-man roster on another team. Players can be elevated by a single team three times in a season but elevations start over in the playoffs. It’s also possible Ehlinger, who has spent some time this season on the 53-man roster, could be signed back to the active roster. If Ehlinger finishes the season on the practice squad, he would be eligible to sign a futures deal with Denver for the 2026 season, but that would eliminate the chance to get to March and see what openings there are on teams in free agency. While he has great loyalty to the Broncos, Ehlinger said the plan now is to “kind of see what the landscape is after the season.” The Broncos are allowed two elevations for each game. With Ehlinger saying he is not a candidate for one, players who could be elevated Saturday include linebacker Levelle Bailey, who could provide depth with Greenlaw and Reid out, and guard Calvin Throckmorton, who could provide depth on the offensive line. ...read more read less