The Denver Broncos have ruled out quarterback Joe Flacco (neck) for Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns and plan to start third-year quarterback Brandon Allen in Week 9, coach Vic Fangio announced Monday.
Quarterback Drew Lock, who was selected in the second round of this year’s draft, is not yet eligible to play because he is on injured reserve. Once Lock is activated, he will be eligible to play again.
Allen (6-2, 209 pounds) was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL draft out of Arkansas. He spent one year in Jacksonville before joining the Los Angeles Rams.
Allen served as L.A.’s third-string quarterback from 2017-2018 before failing to make the Rams’ 53-man roster this summer. Denver claimed him off waivers on Sept. 1 and he served as Flacco’s backup for the first eight games of the season.
Allen is yet to attempt a pass in a regular season NFL game — Sunday will mark his first career start. Brett Rypien, an undrafted rookie out of Boise State, will likely be activated from the practice squad to serve as Allen’s backup this week.
