The Broncos will have a new quarterback in the lineup Saturday but at least an old face at center.

The Broncos on Saturday activated center Luke Wattenberg from injured reserve, and he is expected to start in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game against New England at Empower Field at Mile High. He then would snap to quarterback Jarrett Stidham, who will replace injured Bo Nix.

Wattenberg, who missed three games and four weeks with a left shoulder injury, took the place on the roster of Nix, who was officially placed on injured reserve after suffering a broken right ankle in last Saturday’s 33-30 overtime win over Buffalo in a divisional playoff game.

With wide receiver Troy Franklin listed as questionable for Sunday’s game due to a hamstring injury, Denver on Saturday also elevated wide receivers Elijah Moore and Michael Bandy from the practice squad. The Denver Gazette reported Friday that the Broncos were strongly looking at elevating Moore to potentially replace Franklin’s speed. Moore, in his fifth NFL season, ran the 40-yard dash in 4.35 seconds at the 2021 scouting combine.

Wattenberg was placed on injured reserve Dec. 25 after being hurt Dec. 21 against Jacksonville. He was designated for return from injured reserve last Wednesday and was a full participant all week in practice.

“Having Luke back is unbelievable,’’ Broncos guard Ben Powers said Friday. “He’s looked good.”

When Wattenberg was out, Alex Forsyth started at center. Forsyth suffered an ankle injury late in regulation against the Bills and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game. He was replaced for the remainder of that game by Sam Mustipher.

Franklin was lost for the game in the second quarter against Buffalo and was limited all week in practice. The Broncos could evaluate Franklin before Sunday’s game, but the elevation of two receivers indicates their level of concern about whether he will play.

Moore joined Denver’s practice squad Dec. 2 after playing in nine games during the season for Buffalo and having nine catches for 112 yards before being waived. Before that, Moore spent two seasons for the New York Jets and two with Cleveland, which included having a combined 120 catches in 2023 and 2024.

“It feels great,’’ Moore told The Denver Gazette on Thursday about now being on a team one step away from the Super Bowl. “I feel blessed to be a part of it.”

Moore was elevated for the game against the Bills but was not active. Moore said Thursday he knew before he was elevated he would not be active, with the move made in order to get him a full game check.

Now, Moore could be active against the Patriots.

Patriots make moves

New England on Saturday activated Mack Hollins to the 53-man roster from injured reserve. The wide receiver played in 15 games during the regular season and had 46 catches for 550 yards.

The Patriots also placed defensive tackle Eric Gregory on injured reserve, elevated running back D’Ernest Johnson and defensive Leonard Taylor from the practice squad, and released wide receiver Trent Sherfield from the practice squad.

Sherfield played in 10 games to start the season with the Broncos before being waived Nov. 15. He then was on Arizona’s practice squad before joining New England’s squad at the start of the playoffs.

Two Bills fined by NFL

Two Buffalo players were fined by the NFL for their actions in the game against the Broncos.

Edge rusher Joey Bosa was fined $17,389 for a late hit on Nix in overtime. And cornerback Tre’Davious White was fined $14,222 for unsportsmanlike conduct. He removed his helmet while disagreeing with the pass interference call on him that set up Denver’s winning field goal.

No Broncos players were fined for actions in the game.