ENGLEWOOD – The Broncos headed into the regular season without a single player on the injury report. Now the list is nine deep. 

And that doesn’t even include Mike McGlinchey. 

The right tackle was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury before practice Wednesday at Broncos Park, so he wasn’t included among the nine players listed on the report following the workout. 

There are key players hurt for the Broncos (0-2). In addition to McGlinchey having to be out for at least the next four games with a sprained MCL, outside linebacker Baron Browning (foot) and defensive end John Franklin-Myers (mild concussion) didn’t practice Wednesday and their status is uncertain for Sunday’s game at Tampa Bay (2-0). Safeties Brandon Jones (foot) and JL Skinner (ankle) also didn’t practice although there was no indication they are in jeopardy of sitting out against the Buccaneers. 

“It’s relative to our game,’’ Broncos coach Sean Payton said of the injuries. “Some weeks are cleaner than others.’ 

Payton said second-year man Alex Palczewski will start in place of McGlinchey. Palczewski didn’t play a single snap last season as an undrafted rookie from Illinois and the two snaps after McGlinchey was hurt late in last Sunday’s 13-6 loss to Pittsburgh were the first NFL regular-season ones of his career from scrimmage. 

“Certainly, Mike’s a veteran and ‘Palcho’ is one of those guys, he’s been competing, and I think we’ll be smart relative to what we do protection wise,” Payton said. “But he’s played in a lot of football games. I know he’ll be excited about his first start.” 

With McGlinchey shelved, the Broncos signed outside linebacker Dondrea Tillman off the practice squad to take his place on the 53-man roster. He will fill the void left by Browning being hurt. And to take Tillman’s spot on the practice squad, Denver signed outside linebacker Andrew Farmer, who had agreed Tuesday to a deal. 

Palczewski believes he’s up to the challenge of filling in for McGlinchey, a seven-year veteran who signed a five-year, $87.5 million contract with the Broncos before last season. He moves into the lineup at a time when Denver is struggling on offense, much of that due to a moribund running game. 

“It’s awesome,’’ Palczewski said of getting the starting nod. “But I’m just going to do the best job I can, just to help this team win. All the guys that are in this room are helping me get prepared as much as possible.” 

Palczewski said McGlinchey has been helping him out with “a lot of stuff” and that he has been “getting to pick his brain.” But he doesn’t deny there will be some nerves before he lines up against the Buccaneers. 

“Obviously, there’s going to be a level of nerves,’’ Palczewski said. “But I (played) six years in Illinois. So, I’ve got plenty of starts under my belt. But, obviously, it’s the NFL, and there are a lot of really good players.” 

Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix lamented the loss of McGlinchey but has confidence in Palczewski. 

“(McGlinchey) played really well on Sunday,’‘ Nix said. “I thought he did a really good job against a great edge player (T.J. Watt).Yeah, (the loss is) going to affect us but it’s next man up and and I feel really strong about ‘Palcho.’ … Obviously, it’s a new guy and we have to make sure he’s hearing the calls and make sure that you bring him up to speed as best as you can and help him out and not leave him out to dry. … He’ll do a really good job of keeping that O-line going and continue that trajectory of it going.” 

On defense, the Broncos also could be shorthanded. A source told The Denver Gazette on Tuesday that Franklin-Myers, who was hurt in the first quarter against the Steelers, has a “50-50” chance of playing Sunday and more will be known Friday. And Browning’s chances of playing might not be good considering Denver promoted Tillman and signed Farmer. 

“We have a really deep group and a lot of guys who we trust in those positions, and they stay ready each week,’’ Broncos defensive end Zach Allen said of the injuries to Franklin-Myers and Browning. “So, we’ll just see how it plays out.” 

Allen, with a shoulder injury, was one of five Denver players limited Wednesday in practice. The others were tight ends Greg Dulcich (knee, ankle) and Adam Trautman (shoulder) and wide receivers Josh Reynolds (Achilles) and Devaughn Vele (ribs). Vele sat out against the Steelers after being hurt in a 26-20 loss at Seattle in the Sept. 8 opener. 

Among those who didn’t practice, Skinner, a valuable player on special teams, expects to play at Tampa Bay. 

“Just a little ankle injury,’’ he said. “Just got rolled up. Nothing too big. Not at all. I just need to let it rest and heal and then it will be all good. Hopefully, a couple of more days and it will be all right.” 

If Franklin-Myers can’t play against the Buccaneers, Malcolm Roach would take his place. If Browning is out, Nik Bonitto could start along with Jonathon Cooper, with rookie Jonah Elliss getting plenty of snaps in a three-man rotation. Tillman would be ready if called upon. 

“I’m excited about it,’’ Tillman said of being signed to the active roster. “I’m just staying ready and doing whatever (Payton) needs me to do. If my name gets called, I’ll definitely take advantage of it and give it my best.” 

Tillman played the past three seasons in the spring for the Birmingham Stallions, the first two in the USFL and the last one in the UFL. He gives plenty of credit to Cooper and Browning for helping him adjust to the NFL. 

“My play recognition (has improved),’’ he said. “Just being able to understand what the offense is trying to do and how I can get my job done. Which ultimately helps me play faster.” 

Payton said Tillman has been “doing fine” and is “good at the point of attack.” But there is no guarantee he will get any snaps from scrimmage against the Buccaneers. 

Meanwhile, Palczewski likely will be counted on to play every offensive snap. The Broncos elected to start him over Matt Peart, a five-year veteran who is their swing tackle. 

“I’m going to give as much effort as I can to protect the guys around me,’’ Palczewski said. 

Kyle Fredrickson contributed to this story.