ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Denver Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz will return to Denver on Monday after spending Sunday night in a Los Angeles hospital, Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton said.
Mainers experienced an elevated heart rate, according to sources, late in the first half of the Broncos’ 24-7 win over the Los Angeles Chargers in Los Angeles.
“Quinn will be back [Monday]Payton said on a conference call. “That’s really any update we have.”
Later in the call, Payton added that he and others were “relieved to know that Quinn is healthy and will be fine.”
Team sources said Sunday night that Meinerz told team coaches late in the first half that he was experiencing chest tightness and felt like he had an elevated heart rate. Meinerz was examined by the team’s medical staff in the visiting locker room and then transported to a Los Angeles area hospital.
Meinerz was said to be “feeling better” ahead of the Broncos’ charter departure from Los Angeles, and was taken to hospital largely as a precaution. When Payton was asked after Sunday’s game if Minners felt sick anywhere before the game, the coach said: No.
Payton and offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi have consistently praised Meinerz’s performance this season as well as the third-year player’s physical style. Meinerz is constantly seen finishing in blocks, especially in the run game, with high intensity down the field.
Meinerz was the first of two third-round picks for the Broncos in the 2021 draft; Linebacker Baron Browning was the other. Minners has played in 41 games over the past three seasons and Sunday was his 35th start.
Luke Wattenberg went to Meinerz’s right guard spot before halftime and finished the game out. The Broncos rushed for 106 yards.
“[Wattenberg] “He did a good job and I thought he played well in a moment like this,” Payton said.
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