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Teddy Bridgewater is doing better, but Drew Lock is in line to get his first start of the season

Zac Stevens Avatar
December 20, 2021

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Teddy Bridgewater was released from the hospital on Monday morning after leaving Sunday’s game in an ambulance following a head injury.

“He’s been released. He’s home. He’s resting comfortably,” Vic Fangio stated on Monday morning. “He sounded a lot better this morning than he did last night. Last night he just sounded real tired. This morning, I just spoke to him, he sounded much better.”

Bridgewater has entered the NFL’s concussion protocol. In a statement, the team said the starting quarterback is doing “well.”

“Relieved that he’s doing well,” Fangio added. “With my Catholic background, said a quick Hail Mary and Our Father for him during [the game].”

This is Bridgewater’s second concussion of the season. He left Week 4’s game against the Ravens with a concussion, but was able to return the following week against the Steelers.

On Monday, Fangio wasn’t sure if Bridgewater would be sidelined longer because it’s his second concussion of the year.

“I’ve been told in the past that it doesn’t matter that he had one a few weeks ago, when I’ve talked about other players,” Fangio explained. “And then sometimes they say it’s in a vacuum.”

However, Bridgewater is “probably highly unlikely” to play on Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders, Fangio announced. With that being said, the team is not considering placing him on the injured reserve at this time.

That means, it’s very likely Drew Lock will get his first start of the season on Sunday.

“I saw a couple good throws,” Fangio said, explaining what positives he saw from Lock’s performance against the Bengals. “Obviously, the throw to Tim [Patrick] for the touchdown was a nice throw. Couple other nice ones. Couple other ones that were off target just a little bit. But hopefully, with a weeks worth of practice he’ll be much better prepared.”

In relief, Lock went 6-of-12 for 88 yards, a touchdown and a 102.1 passer rating.

Lock, however, did have a crucial fumble only nine yards away from the end zone when he decided to keep a read option instead of handing it off to Javonte Williams. After the game, Lock admitted he should have handed it off to his running back. Fangio confirmed that on Monday after having watched the film.

“He probably should have gave it,” Fangio said.

Fangio won’t give any consideration to Brett Rypien getting the start over Lock on Sunday. Rypien, however, will now be the team’s backup quarterback.

“I hope after a weeks full of practice, that [Lock will] be much more comfortable and much more efficient in the whole operation, his accuracy will be better, everything will be better,” Fangio stated.

In his three appearances this year, all coming off the bench, Lock has thrown for 227 yards on 55 percent completion, one touchdown and two interceptions for a 59.1 passer rating.

All signs point to Sunday being Lock’s first start since Week 17 of the 2020 season.

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