Denver Broncos: Which players should come off IR when healthy?

3 of 6

DENVER, CO – AUGUST 19: Quarterback Drew Lock #3 of the Denver Broncos rolls out of the pocket against the San Francisco 49ers in the second quarter during a preseason National Football League game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 19, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Drew Lock, QB

Of all the players returning to practice from IR, I would say the likeliest and most important player to bring back is Drew Lock.

What are you talking about? Joe Flacco is playing well! Flacco is not the problem! Drew Lock isn’t going to get this team to the playoffs!

Right, we hear you there.

The reality of the situation is, if the Broncos are not in the playoff mix within a month or so left this season, they would be very wise to get Lock all the reps they can and perhaps even trot him out for a few starts.

Players on IR cannot practice with the team per NFL rules, so if Lock remains on season-ending IR, the Broncos are losing a year of his development instead of just eight regular-season weeks.

I am not a fan of that idea.

This is a long-term move and the Broncos have to bring Lock back if there’s even a sliver of a chance he could play this season. The sliver of a chance could come from a Joe Flacco injury. It could be the team’s record. I would love to see Lock get some mop-up time in a Broncos blowout win against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Wishful thinking? Sure, but it’s something the team has to consider and I would be shocked if Lock is not one of the two players coming back off of IR.

Home/Broncos News