Denver Broncos quarterback Joe Flacco aggravated a neck injury in a 15-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday and will not play against the Cleveland Browns in Week 9.
“He’s got a neck or disk issue and he definitely will not play this week, and we’ll evaluate after,” Broncos coach Vic Fangio said Monday, according to The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala.
With Flacco sidelined, Denver will likely start Brandon Allen, who is the only other quarterback on the active roster.
Rookie Drew Lock is still on injured reserve and won’t be eligible to play until he’s activated to the 53-man roster. The Broncos’ options will be to promote undrafted rookie Brett Rypien from the practice squad or activate Lock. Either Lock or Rypien will serve as Allen’s backup against Cleveland.
Flacco, 34, has thrown six touchdown passes and five interceptions in eight games this season. Allen, 27, has yet to attempt a pass in a regular-season NFL game.
