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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