ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Teddy Bridgewater has officially been ruled out for Sunday’s game after suffering a concussion against the Cincinatti Bengals.
On Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders, the Broncos will be Drew Lock’s team.
“I woke up with a big smile on my face this morning being able to come out here and be the guy this week for this team,” the 25-year old stated on Wednesday, still wearing that smile.
Sunday will be Lock’s first start since Week 17 of the 2020 season. With the Broncos still alive in the playoff picture, Sunday’s game is a must-win for Denver. Fangio believes Lock will be able to balance the high stakes of the game without trying to do too much.
“Getting a whole week of practice, taking all of the reps there—or getting a bulk of the reps—going through the experience he’s gone through this year, coming in midstream during a game, I think those will all work to his benefit to avoid [trying to do too much],” the head coach stated, about Lock not pressing in his first start in nearly a year.
An example of Lock trying to do too much came in his relief appearance against the Bengals when he kept the read-option in the red zone instead of handing it off to Javonte Williams. Instead of making a big-time play for the offense with his feet, the ball was stripped from Lock’s arms. Denver didn’t score another point the rest of the game.
In Lock’s three appearances this season, all coming off the bench, the former second-round pick has 227 passing yards on 55 percent completion, one touchdown and two interceptions for a 59.1 passer rating.
In his first full year as the starting quarterback in 2020, Lock threw for 2,933 yards, 16 touchdowns, a league-high 15 interceptions and a 75.4 passer rating.
After struggling, George Paton traded for Bridgewater in the offseason to compete for the starting job with Lock.
“I thought he had a good camp,” Fangio stated, about Lock’s performance in training camp. “We split the reps pretty evenly as you know. I thought he had a good camp. It showed in the preseason games that he played in. I think with this weeks worth of practice, hopefully we’ll see the guy that we saw in camp and in the preseason games.”
In two of Lock’s preseason games, he completed exactly 5-of-7 passes and had a passer rating north of 140. In the other preseason game, Lock went 9-of-14 with a 79.5 passer rating. Lock finished with three passing touchdowns to no interceptions in the preseason. He did have three fumbles, one of which was turned over.
However, no matter how impressive Lock is on Sunday, he will not take over as Denver’s permanent starting quarterback for the remainder of the season.
“Teddy’s our quarterback,” Fangio stated on Wednesday, when asked if there’s anything Lock can do to remain the starter after Sunday. “If Teddy’s healthy, he’ll be the quarterback.”
Fangio believes it’s “possible” Bridgewater will be available for the final two games of the season. The decision whether or not to bring Teddy back will solely be based off his health.
“Whatever best for his health moving forward is what we’ll do,” Fangio said. “We’ll consider everything. Based on the medical advice and medical opinions. Whatever best for him is what we’ll do.”
Lock will be Denver’s starting quarterback against the Raiders. However, there’s nothing he can do to remain the guy. That all depends on Bridgewater’s health.
