Denver Broncos: Drew Lock should not be rushed back against shorthanded Pats
There is a chance that Drew Lock will be ready to return in Week 5.
Looking to build off of their first win of the season, the Denver Broncos will face the New England Patriots in Week 5. Or at least, that’s what is supposed to happen.
However, there are a lot of questions entering this game, most of which surrounding the Patriots and some recent positive COVID-19 tests.
Cam Newton was forced to sit out last week’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs due to his positive result and is not likely to see the field this week against the Broncos.
On Wednesday, it was reported that star cornerback and reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore has tested positive for the virus.
As of this writing, the game is still scheduled to be played at the original time, but as we have already seen this season, and likely will again, that can change quickly.
After missing the last two games, Drew Lock has returned to practice and there is a chance he could play on Sunday. But the Broncos should refrain from rushing him back to the field.
The Broncos would love to get Lock back on the field as soon as possible, but that should not happen until he is 100 percent ready to do so.
The Patriots always pose a formidable challenge and even without Newton, they were able to give the Chiefs problems for at least a half. If Newton and Gilmore do in fact miss this game, the Broncos should think long and hard about starting Brett Rypien again.
More from Predominantly Orange
- Broncos chances of landing Sean Payton dwindling, but not gone
- Denver Broncos dream coaching staff for DeMeco Ryans
- Denver Broncos: “Sleeper” David Shaw checks every box
- The Broncos’ coaching search likely has not gone to plan
- Special Chiefs Suck Offer: Bet $5, Win $150 if Joe Burrow Passes for ONE YARD vs KC
The Patriots would have to turn to either Brian Hoyer or Jarett Stidham at quarterback and they would be without their best defensive player. Rypien looked good enough against the New York Jets last week to warrant another chance to start.
Head coach Vic Fangio will likely take every precaution in deciding whether or not to have Lock start the game, but the fact that two of New England’s best players could miss the game should help make his decision a little bit easier.
The Patriots do have a solid defense and you know that Bill Belichick will have a great gameplan ready, one that could fluster an inexperienced player such as Rypien. But Lock has only started seven games in his career, so we can’t really refer to him as experienced either.
Because of all of this, Lock could probably rest one more week and return in Week 6 against hthe Miami Dolphins, a home game against a far less talented team.
Rypien should get the call against the Patriots,