Tag: drew lock

NFL announces Lions at Broncos will be on Sunday December 22nd

When the Detroit Lions 2019 regular season schedule was announced there was once curious date omitted: their Week 16 matchup with the Denver Broncos was scheduled as to be determined. Today, we know that matchup will take place on Sunday, December 22nd, 2019.

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When the Detroit Lions 2019 regular season schedule was announced there was once curious date omitted: their Week 16 matchup with the Denver Broncos was scheduled as to be determined.

Today, we know that matchup will take place on Sunday, December 22nd, 2019 at 4:05 PM, EST on CBS.

With the Lions record sitting at 3-5-1 and the Broncos at 3-6, it’s no surprise that the NFL elected to keep the game on the regular Sunday schedule rather than flex it to the national stage on Saturday.

Further adding to the list of reasons this game is not being flexed, is the starting quarterback situation of both teams — as a Jeff Driskel vs Brandon Allen (maybe Drew Lock) matchup isn’t made for primetime.

The Broncos have placed their starter Joe Flacco on injured reserve, while second-round pick (42nd overall) Lock is ready to start practicing again and may return from injured reserve in the next few weeks. Currently, the Broncos are starting Allen (undrafted free agent in 2016 out of Arkansas) at quarterback.

Meanwhile, the Lions are in the middle of deciding what to do with Matthew Stafford after it was discovered that he has a fractured bone in his back. Stafford’s injury isn’t expected to be longterm, just painful, but with his history of back injuries and the team all but eliminated from the NFL Playoffs, it’s fair to speculate if they will shut him down for the season.

Broncos QB Drew Lock not guaranteed to return from IR

“[He’s] one of the two that we can bring off IR,” Broncos coach Vic Fangio said. “That doesn’t [necessarily] mean that he’ll be activated.”

Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (thumb) is still on injured reserve but the rookie quarterback returned to practice Tuesday, a positive sign in his recovery. During his media availability Monday, coach Vic Fangio was asked about how many reps Lock will get this week.

“We’ll try to get him as many as we can,” Fangio said. “Some of that will be scout team, too. You’ve got to remember this guy hasn’t taken a snap or been in the huddle since the middle of August.”

Lock injured his thumb during a preseason game on Aug. 19 and hasn’t practiced since then. When he returned to practice Tuesday, Lock triggered a 21-day window for the Broncos to make a decision about his season. Denver has three weeks to decide if the QB will return to the active roster or spend the rest of the season on reserve.

Fangio was asked Monday if there’s a mapped-out plan for Lock’s transition from injured reserve to the 53-man roster and the coach was non-committal about Lock’s potential return.

“No, it’s not mapped because it’s going to be determined by how he looks and what we think,” Fangio said.

The coach was then asked directly if Lock will be activated this year.

“[He’s] one of the two that we can bring off IR,” Fangio said. “That doesn’t [necessarily] mean that he’ll be activated.”

NFL teams are allowed to bring back two players from IR per season. Wide receiver Tim Patrick is expected to be brought back this week — Lock might be the second player brought back.

Asked what will need to happen for Lock to be activated, Fangio said he needs to see “good quarterback play” and for the rookie QB to show that he belongs. So it’s up to Lock to perform well in practice.

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Broncos drop 2 spots in NFL power rankings after bye week

Despite not having a game last week, the Broncos fell two spots in NFL power rankings.

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Despite not playing in a game last week, the Denver Broncos (3-6) have dropped two spots in Nate Davis’ latest NFL power rankings for USA TODAY Sports. Denver is now ranked No. 25, considered one of the eight-worst teams in the league (at least in the eyes of Davis).

Here is Davis’ commentary with the Broncos’ ranking:

We could be in for the quarterback battle America never wanted — Brandon Allen vs. Drew Lock with rookie set to resume practicing this week.

The Broncos placed quarterback Joe Flacco (neck) on injured reserve two weeks ago and Allen started in his place and led the team to a 24-19 win over the Cleveland Browns. Allen is expected to start again in Week 11.

Lock (thumb) is still on injured reserve but he returned to practice Tuesday. Denver has 21 days to decide if Lock will be activated to the 53-man roster or remain on reserve for the rest of the season.

The Baltimore Ravens (7-2) are ranked No. 1 and the Cincinnati Bengals (0-9) are ranked No. 32. To view the complete power rankings, click here.

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Broncos CB Bryce Callahan will try to practice Tuesday

Broncos cornerback Bryce Callahan (foot) is expected to return to practice Tuesday.

Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (thumb) isn’t the only injured player expected to return to practice Tuesday. Broncos coach Vic Fangio said during his Monday press conference that cornerback Bryce Callahan (foot) will try to practice as well.

“Yeah, I believe he’s going to try to practice tomorrow and we’ll see [how it goes],” Fangio said.

Callahan suffered a foot injury while playing with the Chicago Bears last year and the injury has prevented him from playing this season. The cornerback had a procedure to try to speed up the healing process in late September and was given a recovery timeline of 4-6 weeks.

We’re now more than six weeks removed from that procedure.

Wide receiver Tim Patrick (hand), safety Will Parks (hand) and defensive end DeMarcus Walker (shoulder) are also expected to practice Tuesday. Patrick is still on injured reserve but he might be activated to the 53-man roster later this week.

Fangio also said tight end Jeff Heuerman (knee) might be able to practice and it’s “up in the air” whether offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James (knee) will be able to practice or not. James has missed all but two games this year.

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Broncos QB Drew Lock will return to practice this week

Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (thumb) will practice for the first time since August on Tuesday.

Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (thumb) will return to practice this week, coach Vic Fangio confirmed during his Monday press conference.

Lock injured his thumb during a preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers on Aug. 19. He was then placed on injured reserve and hasn’t practiced for nearly three months.

Once Lock returns to practice, it will trigger a 21-day window for the team to make a decision about his future. If the QB is not activated from IR to the 53-man roster within three weeks, he will spend the entire year on reserve.

NFL teams are allowed to bring back two players from IR per season. Fangio didn’t guarantee that Lock will be one of those two players this year.

“[He’s] one of the two that we can bring off IR — but that doesn’t [necessarily] mean he’ll be activated,” Fangio said.

One of the other candidates to return in 2019 is receiver Tim Patrick (hand). Fangio said the team will make a decision on Patrick later this week.

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