At quarterback, Teddy Bridgewater is making progress, while Drew Lock is still learning the backup game

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — As the bulk of the Broncos went about their normal work on one of the main practice fields Wednesday, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater took his paces on the turf field on the north side of UCHealth Center reserved for injured players recovering from their injuries.

And that was a terrific sign for his potential availability Sunday.

Bridgewater was cleared to be on the side field without a helmet, where he was joined by a slew of teammates in various states of injury recuperation, including wide receivers Diontae Spencer and Jerry Jeudy. He was also able to lift weights with his teammates and take part in meetings.

Receiving limited work in practice Thursday is “possible,” noted Broncos coach Vic Fangio.

“He’s getting better,” Fangio said.

Bridgewater could take part in individual work Thursday, but the earliest he could be cleared for full-practice work in the NFL’s post-concussion protocol would be Friday.

But he has passed through at the earliest possible moment so far. If that trend continues, expect him to play Sunday.

MEANWHILE …

With Bridgewater on the side field Wednesday, Drew Lock filled the void at practice Wednesday, But being a backup after spending virtually his entire football life as a No. 1 quarterback has required some adjustment.

“You kind of pick up what it is that you have to do throughout the week differently than what you thought you needed to do as a backup,” Lock said Sunday after the loss to Baltimore. “I think I can still keep getting better on figuring out what that is exactly, but I’ve been giving everything I’ve got every single week for Teddy [Bridgewater], for this team and for myself too — really, to be ready and come out here.”

Still, as Fangio noted, Lock still has a starter’s mindset.

“No, he views himself — and I view him — as a starting quarterback in the NFL. And when I say he’s done good accepting it, meaning he doesn’t view himself as a career backup, but he’s doing good in his role right now.”

That said, Lock is a backup, and unless or until that changes, he will have to accept the he’ll get fewer chances to prepare for potential snaps.

In the wake of his 12-of-21, 52.3-passer-rating performance last week, Lock pointed to the lack of practice repetitions as “definitely No. 1” on the list of issues — but noted that it wasn’t all, citing “minor details” that inevitably arise.

“… Some of the motions, some of the snap points that we want to have where my call is similar to how we used to call it last year, but the snap points are just a little different. If you don’t snap it correctly or at the right time, the play is busted,” Lock said. “How are we going to pick up some of these pressures when you’re not taking those live reps and seeing all of the looks and cuts coming off a clicker or watching Teddy do it.

“So like I said, live reps is No. 1, but I think focusing on the minor details as a backup, just if you do end up getting in there and making the production clean, so to say.”

And Fangio noted that the issues went beyond Lock.

“It’s difficult in that he doesn’t get the reps when you’re thrown in there cold, but I still think his below-average play was just a part of our whole offense that day,” Fangio said. “We just weren’t very good offensively last Sunday.”