There’s a “chance” Drew Lock doesn’t play on Sunday, but not because he’s getting benched

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Coming off the worst game of his young career, there’s a “chance” Drew Lock won’t play on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.

But it’s not because the Denver Broncos are benching the second-year quarterback. Instead, it’s due to a muscle strain he sustained around his ribs in the 37-12 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.

“His availability for Wednesday’s practice right now is questionable,” Vic Fangio stated on Monday. “Like with many injuries, the next day is worse than the actual injury during the competition. So he’s pretty sore today with the ribs. We’ll see where he’s at on Wednesday.”

Lock is undergoing more tests on Monday to ensure there are no additional injuries. Even if additional tests do come back negative, “there’s a chance” Lock could miss the Broncos’ next game on Sunday, according to Fangio.

“With his injury the way it is, it’s an injury that I think is day-to-day where a lot of improvements can be made,” Fangio said, providing hope to Lock’s availability. “We’ll see how he does with it.”

Lock sustained the injury midway through Sunday’s game but was able to tough it out and play the remainder of the game.

“I don’t think anybody questions Drew’s toughness and desire and want to,” Fangio stated about Lock playing through the pain. “He said he felt fine. We didn’t see him favor it, but that’s the way it is with a lot of injuries during the game — it doesn’t feel bad, it’s the next day and two days later where the full extent of it can be worse. I don’t think anybody questions Drew’s toughness, desire or want to to play for this team.”

But the Broncos might not let Lock tough it out next week against the Dolphins. Fangio admitted on Monday that the number of practices Drew’s able to participate in during the week could play a role if he plays.

“That will definitely enter into the equation,” Fangio stated. “We definitely want Drew to have a good week of preparation so he’s ready to play the game. So that could enter into the equation as we go through the week.”

If Lock isn’t able to play, the Broncos would turn to Brett Rypien. In Rypien’s lone NFL start in Week 4, he threw for 242 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions in a 37-28 win over the New York Jets.

After Sunday’s 25-point loss, where Lock tossed a career-high four interceptions, Fangio made it very clear the Broncos would not bench their starting quarterback.

On Monday, Fangio stood by that, saying “he’s watched a lot” in his career already and needs to play to get better.

Due to a thumb injury and being behind Joe Flacco on the depth chart, Lock only played in five games his rookie year, while missing 11. This year, Lock has played in just over six games but has missed nearly three full games due to a bad bruise in his throwing should he suffered in Week 2.

“I think he’s at the point where he’s got to play to get through this little funk that our entire team is going through, not just on offense, for him to improve and for him to grow,” Fangio stated.

Although Lock’s numbers and team success are drastically worse compared to his rookie year, the head coach said on Monday he “definitely sees improvements” in Lock in his second season.

“When you go back and look at the five games that he played last year, outside of the Houston game, the games were pretty low scoring, even the ones we won. I see definite improvement,” Fangio stated. “There’s no question he has the talent to go out there and do a good job for us. He’s just going through the growing pains of being a young quarterback. We’re going through the growing pains of adjusting the offense to him. But I definitely see improvements.”

On the season, Lock has 1,497 passing yards on 55 percent completion, seven touchdowns, 10 interceptions, a 66.5 passer rating and a 39.7 QBR. All of those stats rank in the bottom seven in the NFL.

For Lock to improve, he needs to play. But health, not being benched, could hold him out of Denver’s next game.