DENVER — The Denver Broncos, already having a tough year, received some more bad news on Saturday. The team’s three eligible quarterbacks were deemed to be “high risk” after coming in contact with Jeff Driskel who tested positive for the coronavirus on Thursday and will not play Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, the Broncos said.
The three quarterbacks -- Drew Lock, Brett Rypien and Blake Bortles -- were not wearing masks while coming in contact with Driskel on Wednesday, according to ESPN.
The Broncos (4-6) will be forced to use a player out of position. One option is practice squad wide receiver Kendall Hinton, who played three seasons of quarterback at Wake Forest, KUSA reported. The team’s current emergency quarterback is running back Royce Freeman, the television station reported.
All the QBs on the Broncos' roster are ineligible to play Sunday against the Saints after being deemed high-risk, close contacts, sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 28, 2020
None were wearing masks at the time of exposure, per source.
The Broncos could also use running backs Melvin Gordon and Phillip Lindsay out of a Wildcat formation, KUSA reported.
The Broncos, represented by president/CEO Joe Ellis and general manager John Elway, had a conference call with NFL executives on Saturday afternoon, The Denver Post reported. The league benched Lock, the team’s starter; Rypien, the backup; and Bortles, the practice squad QB, the newspaper reported.
Statement from the Broncos: pic.twitter.com/HDgIV3l1y8
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) November 29, 2020
Lock had been expected to start against the Saints, KDVR reported.
The game is still on.... https://t.co/FWUMcaZpCa
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 28, 2020
The three quarterbacks were pulled from practice on Saturday morning and were told to isolate at home, ESPN reported.
The game, scheduled to be played in Denver, will still go ahead, ESPN and NFL.com reported.
Broncos tight end Noah Fant was unhappy with the decision, tweeting that the NFL “can’t possibly send us into a game without a QB.”
I’m not one to complain, but @NFL y’all can’t possibly send us into a game without a QB. The most important position to a offense. We don’t even got a back up....
— Noah Fant (@nrfant) November 29, 2020
Fant later joked on Twitter about the availability of retired quarterback Peyton Manning.
“Laughing but serious,” Fant tweeted.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy tweeted that he was going to “have to get my Lamar Jackson on,” referring to the NFL’s reigning MVP. The Baltimore Ravens quarterback, however, has been placed on the COVID-19 reserve list and will not play Tuesday against the unbeaten Pittsburgh Steelers.
Guess ima have to get my Lamar Jackson on
— Jerry Jeudy⁴ (@jerryjeudy) November 28, 2020
Linebacker Von Miller, meanwhile, jokingly volunteered his services behind center.
“Been waiting my whole life for this moment. ‘Von Elway,’” Miller said, referencing Elway, who, in addition to being the team’s GM, was also the team’s Hall of Fame quarterback who played in five Super Bowls, winning twice. “I’m a passing QB, don’t need to run much. Ankle is good for QB.”
Been waiting my whole life for this moment! “Von ELWAY”. Ima passing QB don’t need to run much! Ankle is good for QB pic.twitter.com/Kc3ww0fOkp
— Von Miller (@VonMiller) November 28, 2020
The Saints (8-2), winners of seven straight games, had been six-point favorites in the game before Saturday’s announcement. They were made two-touchdown favorites by most Las Vegas sportsbooks Saturday evening, ESPN reported.
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