After starting the past two games at left guard for the Broncos, Alex Palczewski pondered the last time before that he had played on the left side of the offensive line.

“Not since the Obama administration,” he told The Denver Gazette after the Broncos’ 44-24 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High.

That would take Palczewski, 26, back to when he played at Prospect High School in suburban Chicago. He was a senior there in 2016 before going on to play at Illinois for six seasons from 2017-22 and becoming a stalwart at both right tackle and right guard.

Palczewski joined the Broncos as an undrafted rookie in 2023 and saw his first regular-season action last season, which included starting two games at right tackle when Mike McGlinchey was out with an ankle injury. He continued to play just the right side in the first six games this season.

But starting left guard Ben Powers suffered a biceps injury in Week 5 at Philadelphia and he is out until at least December after undergoing surgery. And then in Week 6 against the New York Jets in London, replacement Matt Peart suffered a left knee injury and joined Powers on injured reserve.

So Palczewski was inserted at left guard for the 33-32 win over the New York Giants in Week 7 and received a game ball, which he called “awesome” and “special.” He got his second start at the spot in the resounding win over the Cowboys.

“It’s going a lot better,” Palczewski said. “There’s still a lot of stuff I need to fix, but our defensive line here helps show me some things I need to fix. I feel like I have a little bit more confidence and I keep on one day at a time getting better.”

Perhaps Palczewski is selling himself a bit short. Teammates lauded his blocking after the win over Dallas.

“Him and (left tackle Garett Bolles) are holding it down on the left side,” said running back J.K. Dobbins. “They do a really good job, and I’m just happy I get to run behind them.”

Dobbins carried 15 times for 111 yards against the Cowboys as the Broncos rolled up 179 rushing yards while averaging 6.4 per attempt. In six carries to the left side, with Bolles and Palczewski helping lead the way, Dobbins had 54 yards. That included his longest run of the day at 25 yards and another that went 15 yards.

“Man, he’s doing a real good job,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said Monday about Palczewski. “He’s physical, he’s smart.“

Palczewski said the “support system that we have here is incredible.” He said offensive line coach Zach Strief, who played tackle for 12 seasons in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints, has been invaluable. He reiterated that “90% of the reason I came” to Denver in 2023 was because of Strief.

Palczewski, known to his teammates as “Palcho,” has been getting plenty of advice on playing his spot from fellow offensive linemen Bolles, McGlinchey, right guard Quinn Meinerz and center Luke Wattenberg. Powers also has weighed in.

“Ben, he’s available all the time, so I get to pick his brain on how he sees stuff,” Palczewski said.

Before moving into the starting lineup, Palczewski had become a bit of cult hero as a tackle eligible used as an extra blocker in Denver’s jumbo offensive package. Fans at home games would cheer wildly when No. 63 was announced as an eligible receiver.

“It’s tough, but I’ll take it,” Palczewski said with a laugh at no longer hearing such cheers.

Earlier this season, a fan in the stands wore a No. 63 jersey with “Eligible” written on the back where a player name usually goes. Palczewski said he doesn’t know the identity of the fan.

“I need to find out who this guy is and take a picture with him and get a beer with him,” Palczewski said.

In the meantime, Palczewski will be focusing on playing left guard.

“I think having all the veteran leadership around him, we’re able to help him do his thing,” Meinerz said. “But at the end of the day he is a great ball player.”

Payton declined to speculate Monday how long Powers will be out. But Palczewski is hopeful he can hold down the position for a good while.

“I’m just going to do the best I can to take care of my guys next to me and give this team the best chance to win,’’ he said.

Along the way, Palczewski might start hearing some more big cheers even when not announced as an eligible receiver.