Here’s the Broncos' plan for Drew Lock now that he will return to practice

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Drew Lock is back. Practicing, that is.

On Monday, Vic Fangio announced the team’s talented rookie quarterback will return to the practice field on Tuesday for the first time since he injured his thumb in the preseason.

“You got to remember this guy hadn’t taken a snap and been in a huddle since the middle of August, or early August,” Fangio said, trying to calm expectations. “Try and get him as many [reps] as we can [in practice]. Some of that will be scout team, too.”

It’s “possible” Fangio will adjust practices moving forward to allow Lock to have more opportunities during practice. Lock will have a bonus opportunity this week as the team will have an extra practice on Tuesday, as they’re coming off their bye, meaning the offense will have “25 or 26” more snaps.

However, just because No. 3 will be on the practice field doesn’t mean he’ll be suited up come game day. In fact, it doesn’t mean he’ll even be activated to the 53-man roster off the injured reserve.

“He’ll be determined as one of the two that we can bring off I.R,” Fangio confirmed. “That doesn’t mean he’ll be activated.”

Once Lock starts practicing on Tuesday, the Broncos will have 21 days to elevate him to the 53-man roster or decide to keep him on the injured reserve for the rest of the season. If Lock is activated, his role is to be determined.

“It’s not mapped out because it’s going to be determined by how he looks and what we think,” Fangio said, when asked if there’s a chance he can be the backup quarterback against the Vikings on Sunday.

What the Broncos’ brass needs to see from lock is simple: “Good quarterback play. That he belongs,” Fangio stated. The head coach will be able to identify both of those when he sees it.

But Lock’s availability and upward mobility won’t just rely on his own head, arms and feet. Denver’s current starting quarterback, Brandon Allen, will be part of Drew’s equation, too.

If the fourth-year quarterback plays well and wins games, that will have an impact on Lock’s status, Fangio confirmed on Tuesday.

“Our whole focus is trying to get to 4-6. As bad as that sounds, we’re trying to win the game we play this week. Whether that includes, or doesn’t include, Drew down the road remains to be seen,” Fangio said, remaining noncommittal on the second-round pick seeing the game field this season.

Drew Lock will take a massive step in his return to the field on Tuesday. But it’s only one step in his long race back to the game field.