DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 14: Drew Lock #3 of the Denver Broncos. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
Drew Lock might return to action next week against the Patriots.
The Denver Broncos‘ plans for a grand 2020 have been decimated by injuries from the word go, and one of the most noteworthy was quarterback Drew Lock, who injured his throwing shoulder in Week 2, prompting the Broncos to sign Blake Bortles while starting the likes of Jeff Driskel and Brett Rypien.
Luckily for Lock and Denver, head coach Vic Fangio thinks that Lock has a shot to play in Week 5 against Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots, calling him “50-50” to return. Rypien will start in Week 5 if Lock can’t play.
Drew Lock has a much higher ceiling than either Jeff Driskel or Brett Rypien
Lock completed 22 of his 33 passes for new OC Pat Shurmur in a Week 1 matchup against the Tennessee Titans, but he only converted that into 14 points as Denver lost on a Stephen Gostkowski field goal. Denver was pummeled by the Pittsburgh Steelers after Lock went out with his injury 13 snaps into the game, and the Broncos didn’t look competitive in Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Driskel has experience in this league as a backup, but he took 11 sacks on 75 dropbacks, showing that his pocket presence is not up to par. Rypien threw two touchdowns and looked very impressive at times in a primetime win over the New York Jets on the road, but he also threw three poor interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. Lock’s arm talent is also superior to both of them.
Lock will not get any time to ease his way back into things, as he has to take on a ferocious New England Patriots defense in a game that could send Denver to 1-4 if Lock doesn’t dominate.
The Broncos are sliding out of the AFC West picture after their injury-riddled start, but they will at least give non-Jets opponents a competitive effort with Lock under center. Fangio needs to be careful, however, as playing him too early and getting him hurt again is a very real possibility.