Before each Broncos game during preseason, we will provide a quick note on the storyline of the week along with a rookie to watch that week. Below are the notes for Denver’s preseason finale against the Cardinals.
Lock injured: Broncos QB Drew Lock sprained his right thumb in Denver’s third preseason game, a serious injury for a right-handed passer. Coach Vic Fangio has not given an estimate for how much time Lock could miss and he has not ruled out the possibility of the rookie beginning the regular season on injured reserve. “It could be [an option] if we don’t think he can play for a while,” Fangio said. “The bad thing about it is because of the injury he can’t do much.” If Lock is placed on injured reserve, he would not be eligible to play again for eight weeks.
Rookie watch: With Lock ruled out for the rest of preseason, rookie QB Brett Rypien will get a chance to see the field. After a decorated career at Boise State, Rypien signed with the Broncos as a college free agent following April’s draft. The nephew of two-time Super Bowl champion Mark Rypien is a longshot to make Denver’s 53-man roster but the team would probably like to stash him on their 10-man practice squad if he clears waivers.
