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Starter Drew Lock, back-up Brett Rypien and practice squad quarterback Blake Bortles were ruled out of Sunday’s game with the New Orleans Saints after being deemed close contacts; Running back Royce Freeman could play as an emergency quarterback
Last Updated: 28/11/20 11:58pm
The Denver Broncos face the prospect of playing the New Orleans Saints on Sunday without a recognised quarterback.
The nightmare scenario materialised after quarterback Jeff Driskel tested positive for coronavirus on Thursday and fellow quarterbacks Drew Lock, Brett Rypien and Blake Bortles were deemed as close contacts.
Running back Royce Freeman is slated to fill in as an emergency quarterback.
However, ESPN‘s Adam Schefter has reported that the Broncos, who sit third in the AFC West with a 4-6 record, are not currently planning to forfeit the game.
The most 2020 scene of all: Denver’s QBs were deemed high-risk, close contacts because they were not wearing their masks. The Broncos will hit the field Sunday against the Saints without a quarterback.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 28, 2020
Here’s how Denver got wiped out at the QB position in a 72-hour span:
QB Jeff Driskel tested positive for COVID on Thursday.
Drew Lock, Brett Rypien and Blake Bortles did not wear masks, per a source, and were deemed high-risk close contacts today. They now are out Sunday.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 28, 2020
Broncos will not be forfeiting, per source.
Short of luring GM John Elway out of retirement, it sets up as the most unexpected NFL scene of 2020. Broncos have no QBs for a game against the Saints. https://t.co/ig4knEI9vQ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 28, 2020
“The most 2020 scene of all: Denver’s QBs were deemed high-risk, close contacts because they were not wearing their masks,” Schefter wrote on social media.
“The Broncos will hit the field Sunday against the Saints without a quarterback.
“Broncos will not be forfeiting, per source.”
Schefter also reported that Lock, Bortles and Rypien were not thought to have been wearing masks at the time of their possible exposure.
A person with knowledge of the situation told Associated Press that Lock, Rypien and practice squad member Bortles were pulled off the practice field on Saturday. Denver had previously cancelled two days of practice.
The 8-2 Saints, who have themselves had quarterback issues with Drew Brees currently sidelined, are expected to land in Denver on Saturday evening and prepare for the game as normal.
Denver, while yet to address the situation publicly, are understood to be working with the NFL to find a satisfactory resolution.
