Before second-round draft choice Drew Lock sprained his right thumb last week, the Broncos were planning to play Lock and Kevin Hogan in Saturday’s preseason game against the Rams in Los Angeles.
With Lock not available and Joe Flacco among the starters not suiting up, Denver plans to start Hogan against the Rams. Brett Rypien will also get to play, marking the rookie’s first preseason action since the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 1.
Broncos coach Vic Fangio indicated earlier this week that Hogan will get a majority of the snaps, but Rypien will get some playing time. He went 5-of-10 for 41 yards and a touchdown in Denver’s first preseason game.
Rypien knows the last two games of preseason will present a big opportunity and he’s hoping to not overthink the situation when he’s on the field.
“You know you have the ability to go out there and make plays, but at the same time you’re out there thinking about what your assignment is and you’re not just playing,” Rypien said. “I mean, that can slow you down a little bit.
“You can’t play slow, especially at this level, because everything is a little bit faster, the windows are tighter. So for me, it’s just been trying to learn as much as I possibly can so I can go out there and not really think and just react.”
Rypien signed with the Broncos in April following a productive career at Boise State. He’s a longshot to make the 53-man roster but Denver would probably like to carry him on the 10-man practice squad.
The Broncos will begin building a practice squad on Sept. 1.
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