Broncos quarterback Joe Flacco (neck) will not play this week, leaving Brandon Allen as the team’s fill-in starter against the Browns. Some fans in Denver might not be too happy about who Allen’s backup will be.
The Broncos are expected to promote undrafted rookie Brett Rypien from the practice squad this week, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. That means second-round draft choice Drew Lock will remain on injured reserve, at least for the moment.
Denver will have an open spot on the roster for Rypien after placing linebacker Corey Nelson (bicep) on injured reserve.
Lock injured his thumb during preseason and the Broncos may not bring him back up after their Week 10 bye.
“He hasn’t done anything in a huddle or a practice since, what was it, the second or third preseason game that he got hurt,” coach Vic Fangio said Monday. “That’s a long time ago. We want to make sure he’s ready before we put him out there.”
Rypien (6-2, 210 pounds) signed with the team as a college free agent out of Boise State following April’s draft. He is the nephew of former NFL quarterback Mark Rypien, who won two Super Bowls during his time with the Washington Redskins.
Rypien completed 64.0 percent of his passes for 13,578 yards and 90 touchdowns against 29 interceptions during his time in college.
